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Dispelling Lingering Doubt on he Real Presence

Wednesday, April 24th, 2019

Easter Wednesday

Acts 3: 1-10; Luke 24: 13-35

Deacon Larry Brockman

The Emmaus Story!  How many times have we heard it?   

And you know, I’ll bet that most of us tend to judge the disciples along the road a little too harshly because our perspective is so much different than theirs was.  We are calmly reading the Gospel with knowledge of everything that has happened   But these disciples walking along the road only knew what they saw and heard in real time.   

So, let’s try to put ourselves in their position for just a minute.  I am certain that many of you have watched Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ”, if not this year, then in the last couple of years.  It was hard to watch because it was so graphic.  We really don’t want to think that anyone could be as cruel to another human being as the authorities were when they beat and and tortured Jesus the way it was depicted in that movie.  But you know what?  It was probably even worse than that!  The experts that have examined the shroud of Turin, and those historical experts who were familiar with how Crucifixions were actually performed, have said as much.   

Those disciples walking along the road had seen all that happen.  The last they saw of Jesus he was, as we here in the Isaiah prophecy, “marred beyond recognition”.  The idea that he rose from the dead and was walking around in a dazzling purified state, well, that was just too much to believe.  And even though Jesus had told them exactly what was going to happen before it happened, they just didn’t get it; even when the women came back from the tomb and told them that it happened.   

The root of their problem is Faith, when you come right down to it.  The Faith of these disciples had been shaken by the reality of the horror that Jesus endured.  Most probably, all of us would have reacted the same way.  That’s why the Emmaus Story is so valuable to us.    First Jesus teaches these two people yet again the essence of his teaching in his three-year ministry.  He interprets the scriptures that predicted his coming and fulfillment of the promise to redeem them first.  And in a flash, they recognize him, because he reminded them and just put everything in the right perspective.  It all happened just as was predicted.  And so, their faith was given a giant shot in the arm.  They had seen, and so they believed.  Indeed, the Lord is risen!   

But in the process, Jesus does something truly profound for us.  Jesus reenacts the Last Supper.  He repeats the words of consecration of the bread and wine as his Body and Blood, thereby demonstrating for all that he meant what he said on Holy Thursday.  That bread and wine that the priest offers and blesses does become the real body and blood of Christ.  This is a tremendous stumbling block for so many Christians; and yet, it is the bread of life, a resource of incredible power for all of us who really believe because we have continuing access to almighty God- He has not left us.  But we have to believe, really believe, even though it just doesn’t seem possible.   

It didn’t seem possible that a man who was “marred beyond recognition”; beaten and tortured to death; a man who shed virtually all of his blood in the process- it just didn’t seem believable that such a person could rise from the dead.  But it happened, and hundreds of people were witnesses to it.   

Likewise, it just doesn’t seem possible that the bread and wine are really the body and blood of Christ.  But that’s what Emmaus is about- Jesus showed us again that he really meant what he said.  He said the words and he was there in the resurrected body; and in a flash, the Eucharist was still there, but the visible Christ was gone.  We are called to believe that- we are not called to look for a rational proof of it.   

Now, the thing is that once we get beyond the lingering doubt; the need for understanding how it’s possible; and just really accept on Faith the important truths of Christianity- the Incarnation; the Resurrection; and the Eucharist; then something really amazing happens to us.  It happened to Peter and John in our first reading.  Their faith was so strong that they could work mighty miracles in Jesus name.   

All of us have the potential to do the same when we really believe!   

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Following the Law With Our Hearts (U)

Thursday, March 21st, 2019

Thursday of Second Week in Lent

Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16: 19-31

Deacon Larry Brockman

So, the Lord rewards everyone according to the merits of his deeds.  Such are Jeremiah’s words today.   

And Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man seems to echo that promise by the Lord.  Did you notice that the rich man knows who Lazarus is?  That tells us that although the rich man saw Lazarus during his lifetime, he did nothing to help him.  But he felt familiar enough with Lazarus to ask the favor of a drop of water. 

How’s that for indifference!  After his passing from this world, and finding himself in a tormented state, he still regards himself as superior to Lazarus.  So, he has the boldness to ask Lazarus to do him a favor.  This rich man is oblivious to the reality of his situation.   

Now, there’s no mention of any deeds by the rich man at all.  He doesn’t present any defense for the charge against him- he just asks for relief of his pain.  Rather, the rich man just enjoyed the gifts that God gave him in life, dining sumptuously each day.  His wealth was his security; it allowed him to comfortably practice his faith.  He probably considered himself a good practicing Jew- keeping all the ritual laws; avoiding the unclean like Lazarus with those dreadful sores; tithing comfortably from his wealth; following the rules for the Passover explicitly.  He just was living life happily, just enjoying the gifts God gave him; perhaps he regarded his good station in life as a reward for his literal compliance to the law.   

But Jesus makes it clear that because he was indifferent to the suffering that was going on around him; unwilling to share what he had, and perhaps even unaware that anything else was expected of him, his life after death was going to be a miserable one.   

You know, we all learn that the core of our faith is the belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior, and that he sacrificed himself for our sins.  We are told that if we believe, and follow his commandments, we will be saved.  We are told that we cannot gain our place in the heavenly Kingdom by our good works.  I am certain the rich man thought he was doing that.   

And yet, this parable sheds a unique light on the salvation process, doesn’t it?  You see, we have been saved by Christ- salvation is there for all of us.  But it is there to lose if…    In fact, it’s there to lose If a whole lot of things, isn’t it?  If we don’t love God with our whole heart; if we don’t love our neighbor as ourselves; if we are not meek and humble of heart; if we don’t follow the rest of the beatitudes; if we don’t follow his law with our heart.   

Jeremiah says it best.  “Cursed is the man who… seeks his strength in the flesh, …whose heart turns away from the Lord.”  It is the heart that the Lord looks to in order to determine if we really believe.  And all of us only reflect the image and likeness of God if our hearts all full of love for all of God’s people, even the unclean person in the street covered with sores.   

These readings are presented in Lent for a good reason.  They challenge us to reflect on our own lives.  Do we follow the law to the letter of the law only?  Do we follow the law only as long as it is comfortable for us?  Or do we follow the law in our Hearts?   

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Listening to the Inconvenient Truth

Wednesday, March 20th, 2019

Wednesday of Second Week in Lent

Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28

Deacon Larry Brockman

I suppose all of us have had it happen to us.  We confide something really important and personal to our closest family members or friends, and they just seem to ignore what we say.  They move on, and even change the topic.   

This is what happened to Jesus in this morning’s Gospel.  Jesus tells his closest disciples what is going to happen to him in no uncertain terms: suffering, death on a cross, and resurrection after three days.  And what happens next?  Jesus is lobbied by two of his disciples Mother for the top places in the Kingdom of God for her sons.  You would think these disciples would have shown some concern, some empathy, even some curiosity after hearing what Jesus predicted would happen to him.  But instead Matthew tells us they were completely derailed by the request of the two brothers. 

Matthew says “When the ten heard this they became indignant at the two brothers”.  And Jesus had to set them straight.  He tells them such an honor is not his to give.  He tells them they must become servants of others just as he had become.  He tells them they will drink of the same cup that he will drink.  That would mean to me that they were going to have to suffer just like Jesus predicted he would.  It would seem that Jesus had returned to his original topic- suffering.  But it doesn’t seem to have phased the disciples in the least.   

And then there is the story of Jeremiah.  Jeremiah prophesied fearlessly in the name of the Lord.  It was a prophecy of suffering and exile.  It wasn’t what the people wanted to hear- in fact, it ran counter to what the priests and other prophets were saying at the time.  So, it was a source of irritation to them.  The Israeli society just didn’t want to face the reality of an impending woe.  So, the people decided to scheme against Jeremiah; try to get some argument against him using his own words.  They planned to throw him into a pit and leave him; and he says as much.   

I think Jesus disciples ignored his prophecy of suffering for the same reason the Israelis rejected Jeremiah’s prophesy of suffering and exile.  It’s the same reason that most of us avoid talking about pain and suffering.  We just don’t want to hear about it, even when it is the truth.   

And it is much more certain to be avoided when it is a societal woe rather than an individual one.  In many cases, we will show empathy and concern for a loved one who wants to talk about their suffering, like when someone is suffering from a terminal illness; or someone has lost a loved one because it is the others who are suffering, not us.   

But it is quite another thing when some woe is predicted on someone that is going to affect us as well.  That was the case with the Apostles.  Certainly, if all of what Jesus predicted would happen to him came to pass, the Apostles would all be sure to suffer as well.  And if the Israeli nation in Jeremiah’s day were conquered and sent into exile; well everyone would be affected and suffer.   

It is no different today; prophets of doom are rejected when they speak.  Think about some of the modern-day prophecies of doom that all of us are hearing about:  climate change; runaway debt; Immigration; moral decay; terrorism; abortion; socialism; you get the point.  Which of these are real and which are not?   

Real prophets are humble servants, they do not gain from their prophesies.  Real prophets speak in the name of God, not in the name of man.  The prophesies of real prophets come true, as did all of Jeremiah’s prophecies, as did everything Jesus told his disciples.   

The fact is that there are success stories about prophesies of doom that were averted by sincere people.. There are times when prophets have been listened to, and people have responded rather than rejected them.  The book of Jonah tells one such success story.  The people of Nineveh repented of their sin after Jonah prophesied their doom.   

Lent is a time for us to repent and change our way.  Part of our Lenten practice should be listening to modern day prophets.  They are our collective conscience; they are awakening us to important truths we don’t want to hear. 

We can make important changes in our lives that respond to the truth they predict even if the prophecies are inconvenient truths.  It’s been done before; and it is done one person at a time. 

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Ask and It Will Be Given to You

Thursday, March 14th, 2019

Thursday of First Week of Lent

Es C: 12, 14-16, 23-25; Mt 7: 7-12

Dc. Larry Brockman

So, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.   For everyone that asks will receive.”    That sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? And perhaps some of you may even be skeptical from your own previous experience.  But Jesus always speaks the truth.  So, how do we resolve our experience with Jesus words?  How can we be sure our prayers will be answered in the future?   

You know, I recently led a Bible Study called “Lectio Prayer”.  It was based on an age-old practice called “Lectio Divina”.  This is a Latin term for prayerful reading of the holy scriptures.  The idea is that our prayer life is enhanced by using Lectio Divina.  You see, the author of that study made this interesting point.  He said that all prayer is initiated by God.  That’s right, all prayer is initiated by God!  So, that means we have to listen to God first to engage in prayer.    

When you think about it, we should all approach our prayer relationship with God like we approach a friendship.  A true friend listens to what we have to say; but to be a true friend, we have to listen to them as well.  And God’s agenda for us is always more perfect than anything we might conjure up for ourselves.  So, we should be open above all to what God has to say.

God sincerely wants to help us with our needs.  But there is a difference between our needs and our wants.  Take a lesson from Queen Esther in our first reading.  She is not praying for her wants, is she?  Rather, she is sincerely concerned and troubled by the terrible cunning and guile of the King’s assistant, who has tricked the King into a decree to kill all of the Jews.   

So, opening your prayer with a long list of requests and complaints doesn’t seem like the way to talk to a friend; and it is definitely not the way to talk to God.   We should start our prayer humbly asking God to talk to us and be prepared to listen.   

Now I am sure many of you recognize that God speaks to us in very subtle, gentle, and mysterious ways.  So, it may be easy to miss how God is calling you to pray.  But God certainly does speak to us through the scriptures, the word of God.  When we read scriptures, something usually leaps out at us too.  That is often God’s way of asking us to reflect more on it.  It may hold the key to our path forward.    

And God speaks to us in those nagging feelings we have that something is wrong in our lives or the lives of our loved ones.  Those feelings are God calling you to reflect and change something.  They are moments which are calling out for you to get into a quiet, undisturbed environment, and humbly open yourself up to what God has to say.  After you have listened to God, then it is time to share your concerns and feelings.   

But be careful of what you ask for.  We can all take a lesson from Queen Esther.  As I said before, she was not praying for her wants; but rather for an urgent need.  And Esther was asking for help- not intervention.  She wants God to put the right words in her mouth to persuade her husband.  Esther is concerned about a true need- and is only asking for the grace to act effectively. 

That’s what we should ask for.  Ask for strength, for the right words, for the wisdom to deal with the need that we have.   

There are many times that good people have been soured by what appears to be a rejection by God of their prayer- a sick friend or relative does not pull through; the job you sought did not come through; some immanent natural disaster like a hurricane sweeps over us despite our prayers.   

Well, God can work miracles; but usually God works in natural ways.  And we are part of that solution.  God works through us, as he used Esther to persuade the King.     

Sometimes God’s wisdom is mysterious and seems like out-of-the-box thinking.  Is that really so surprising?  God is so far beyond us that we cannot possibly see his plan or know his ways.  We need to trust God and hope that our prayers will be answered for our ultimate good.   

Perhaps it was that friend or relative’s time; perhaps there’s a better job for you; perhaps the natural disaster will put you in a place that’s far better in the eyes of God.  Perhaps God wants to close one door and open another in your life.   

We are God’s children now.  We always have the best interests in mind for our children when they ask for something, don’t we?  And sometimes they ask for something and the best answer is “no” or “not right now”.   God does the same with us.   

So “ask” but ask with all humility and sincerity, “And it will be given to you”. 

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Holding Fast to Your Faith

Wednesday, February 6th, 2019

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

St. Paul Miki & Companions

Heb 12: 4-7, 11-15; Mark 6:1-6

Deacon Larry Brockman

What an opening shot that was in our first reading: “Brothers and Sisters:  In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”  What a strong message that was for the faithful.   

And in fact, in Paul’s day, there were many who did suffer terribly for their faith; many who shed their blood.  Yesterday, we heard about St. Agatha.  Because she rejected the advances of the Roman Leader in Sicily, she was tortured mercilessly; they even cut off her breasts!  But when they tried to burn her at the stake, an earthquake frightened off the Romans, and legend has it that St. Agatha died in prison.  I read recently that as many as 1 out of every 100 Christians in the first couple of centuries were martyred for their faith.   

Today is the feast of St. Paul Miki and companions.  Paul Miki was one of 25 Christians crucified on a hill above Nagasaki Japan in the late 16th century following missionary efforts by Jesuits and Franciscans to convert the people of Japan.  All 25 were put to death just because they preached Christ.  The Japanese wanted to root out the Christian movement in its infancy in Japan.   

One would think that such a brutal campaign would have ended it; but when Christian missionaries returned to Japan some 200 years later, they found over 1000 Christians there- such strength of Faith.   

How about you and me?   We live in an age when our Christian Faith is constantly being persecuted.  Dozens of people have been killed by the sword in Iraq and Syria and Egypt just because they are Christian.  Closer to home, people are being arrested and sued for following their consciences on Christian doctrine.  And there are people, some even claiming to be “Catholic”, defending the “right to choose” to abort a baby, and even to kill a newborn baby on the delivery table.  They are popping corks and celebrating the passage of laws in New York that allow just that. 

How can we live our lives so that it makes a difference in such a messed-up world?  Do we have to shed our blood to be saved?  We are just citizens, not politicians or activists, right.   

Well, we can certainly express ourselves to our elected officials; and we can vote.  But you know, there is an even better way; one which really demonstrates our faith but isn’t so drastic.  It is one that Paul mentions to the Hebrews this morning.  Because Paul also says this to the Hebrews: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”   

First peace.  Yes, we can all be civil to each other and be peacemakers.  But also “For that holiness without which no one will see the Lord!”  Ah, now that is much more difficult- to live lives of holiness so that everyone sees the Lord in us.  We are challenged to live that way every day by acting civil to our neighbors; showing love and respect in our families; worshipping the Lord and not secular things on the Sabbath; and giving of our time, talent, and treasure to help someone in need.  Basically, our kindness must be ever present on behalf of the Lord, while all the time we hold fast to what our faith is when we are challenged.   

And when is our faith challenged?  When others want us to gossip or gang up on someone; when others talk about the right to choose versus the right to life and we sit by idly; when we are affronted by immoral and objectionable material in the media and say nothing; and when an activity interferes with the practice of our faith but we do it any way.    Doing the right things in these situations are ways we can “see to it that no one is deprived of grace”; and that “no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many are defiled”.   

Each of us has the opportunity to win the struggle against sin.  For some, holding fast to their faith means shedding blood.  For all, holding fast to the faith is what it’s all about. 

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Is the Law Written in Your Heart?

Wednesday, January 30th, 2019

Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

St. Maria Soledad Torres

Heb 10: 11-18; Mark 4:1-20

Deacon Larry Brockman

“I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their minds.”  This is the New Covenant of the Lord as Paul presented it to the Hebrews.    And you know what?  When people are committed to their Faith, when they seek the Lord and desire to do his will as an integral part of their lives, then the New Covenant applies to them.  

I suppose that the large crowd that came to hear Jesus was full of folks who came for some very different reasons.  On the surface, they came to hear this special preacher because of his reputation.  But really, only some came because they were seeking after the meaning of life.  Others came because it was the thing to do; or they felt justified by seeking spiritual diversity; or they wanted to belong; or they were dragged there by their spouse or family; or any of a number of other reasons.   

And what did they hear?  They heard about seeds sewn along a path.  Can’t you just imagine the reaction?  What’s he talking about?  What a bunch of baloney?  I came here for this?  What does this have to do with me?  Is that all there is?   

But you know what, many folks come to Mass sometimes on Sundays for some of the same reasons.  Some come because they are committed to their faith with their hearts.  But there are many other reasons that other folks come- some to justify themselves or to become belong to a community; others as sort of a guilt offering for their pre-occupation with the world; or because of peer pressure from their spouse or family; or to serve as an example for their children.  God bless them for whatever reason they come because they may be converted in heart by the living word of God at any time.   

But this morning, Jesus makes it clear he is looking for people who are truly committed to him with their hearts.  They may not be perfect- nobody is perfect.  And the people who think they are perfect, well they are probably the ones with the most to learn.  But they come with all humility seeking something better- the real meaning of life.   

Now Jesus spoke the truth in parables so that only those who came to hear him with their hearts would perceive the truth.  Jesus deliberately structured his message to challenge his audience.  He was challenging them to be open with their hearts and minds to a new and exciting message about the ultimate purpose of life.  Anyone who was committed to the earth and fleshly existence would perceive that message as a lot of baloney.  Only those who were honestly seeking the truth would be open to it.  If their minds and hearts were open to his message; they would get it because the Spirit of the Lord would work on them.     

The same thing is true today each and every time folks come to Mass.  When you hunger and thirst for the Word of God with your heart, and you yearn to receive the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, then coming to Mass on Sunday, and in fact any time you come to Mass; well then, the Mass will be something special to you.   

But when you come for any of the other reasons, there will always be something wrong-  the music wasn’t quite right; the homily was too long; it’s the same old thing every time, and on and on.   

When Paul quotes the Old Testament; “I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their minds.”  He is talking to all of the people of God who come before him honestly seeking the truth.  To those, the Spirit will move them to understand what is hidden from the multitude.  The salvation promised in the New Covenant belongs to such as these. 

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The Real Thing

Thursday, January 24th, 2019

St. Francis de Sales

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Heb 7: 25b – 8:6; Mark 3:7-12

Deacon Larry Brockman

As our Gospel today clearly demonstrates, Jesus was and is the real thing- God himself.    Jesus healed the sick, cast out unclean spirits, and worked miracles no other earthly man could do.  And Jesus drew crowds from all over the area because of the authority and truth of his message. 

But Jesus’ earthly ministry ended in the self-sacrifice of the perfect God made man on the cross on behalf of all of us.  It was a sacrifice that atoned for all of our sins and earned salvation for all of us.  The proof of our salvation was his Resurrection and his promise of everlasting life to all who believe in him as passed on by the witnesses to his Resurrection.

Paul’s message to the Hebrews this morning was all about the salvation process.  It is a lesson all of us should heed as well.  Paul talks about it in terms of priesthood.  But in Paul’s days, priests attained their priesthood by birth.  According to their law, only those who were descendants of the Levite tribe could be priests.

They offered animal sacrifices year after year in atonement for their sins on the day of atonement.  But these sacrifices were made by imperfect people- people who died and had to be replaced.  And these animal sacrifices obviously could never properly atone for their sins and those of the people before almighty God.  They were just a gesture of humility and sincere intent to be contrite; they were a remembrance according to the law; they were not a messianic or saving event.  And in fact, the Jews are still looking today for their Messiah.   

Paul then points out that Jesus Christ acted as our priest, the perfect priest.  Jesus, who was and is sinless, lives forever and his sacrifice was and is acceptable to the Father.  Just like Melchizidek, Jesus is a priest, a prophet, and a king.   He does not have any of the shortcomings of previous priests.   

Now Jesus Christ wanted us to participate in the salvation he earned for us by providing us with persons who could act as a high priest for him.  And so, he handed on to his apostles the priesthood at the Last Supper.  We provide bread and wine, fruit of the vine and work of our human hands at each Mass.  They symbolize our willing participation in the Mass, our willingness to sacrifice ourselves.  Every time one of our priests offers that bread and wine and consecrates it as Jesus did, then Jesus self-Sacrifice is memorialized and is offered again to his Father on our behalf.  Jesus told us to do precisely that- in memory of him.  We are present as witnesses to that event at each Mass and we partake of the body and blood of Christ to validate our belief.   

That is what is so important about our Mass.  It is not just a forum for worshipping God; an event held in a special place where God’s word is proclaimed and affirmed and where the congregation says to God that they believe in him and praise him.  Of course, the Mass is all of that too.   

But rather, the Mass is a continuation of the salvation event itself.  Because just as Jesus promised, the bread and wine become His real body and blood.  So, the Sacrifice of the Mass is our way of participating in the original offering to the Father.   

Yes, Jesus Christ is the real thing.  And so is the Mass and the Eucharist consecrated by our Priest. 

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Abundance in Need

Wednesday, December 5th, 2018

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Is 25: 6-10a; Mt 15: 29-37

Deacon Larry Brockman

Well, it’s that time of year again, the “Holiday Season”.  Yes, our secular society has morphed our wonderful Christmas celebration into a “Holiday Season”.  And our holidays are characterized with an abundance- an abundance of good cheer, food, parties, cookies and presents.  It’s as if an abundance of pleasure is what the spirit of Christmas is all about.   

Well, believe it or not, today’s readings are all about the abundance of God’s blessings.  And that’s something we should all want- an abundance of God’s blessings.  However, our Christian concept of abundance is better matched to the real meaning of Christmas than the abundance we hear about in secular society.   

In today’s Gospel, we first hear about the working of many miracles- many of the lame, the deformed, the blind, and the mute are healed.  And then, Jesus feeds 4000 people with a few loaves and fish.  By the way, this is not the feeding of the 5000.  That incident came earlier in the Gospel.  No, this is actually a second incident of mass feeding of a crowd.  Clearly, Jesus abundantly heals, and Jesus abundantly provides food for the hungry- so much so that there were seven baskets left over; and that’s seven baskets more than they began with!  That is real abundance.   

These gifts of healing and daily bread are signs of God’s intention to bless his people with abundance.  We have only to ask sincerely, as Jesus did, and God will provide for our needs.  Because, you see, God is the ultimate Santa Claus!  God always gives to others without expecting anything in return.   

Now notice that Jesus’ actions in today’s Gospel are characterized by one common factor-  Genuine Need.  The lame and deformed and blind and sick had a genuine need; and the crowd which hadn’t eaten for three days had a genuine need as well.  It is God’s will that His people be healthy and that their basic needs be met with abundance.  God will answer our prayers for such needs- and with abundance.   

But that is not the same thing as wanting something even if we ask for it in prayer.  Because there is often a difference between something we want and something we need.  In fact, God frequently gives us what we need rather than what we want when we pray.  That can be a real problem for us- because we think we know what we need and so, that is what we ask for.  But God loves us so much that he will respond to us with abundance for what we really need.  God is the best judge of that.   

I propose we all try something a little different this year for Christmas.  Let us compose our Christmas lists a little differently.  Let us ask God for what we really need, rather than what we want.   

Perhaps a little quiet time to reflect on how you can change your life for the better next year.  Or to help develop a skill that helps others.    Perhaps you can anticipate a real need by one of your loved ones, and that can be your gift to them.  Maybe some quality time together with a neglected family member.  Or Giving up time with the game controller and interacting with your siblings instead.   

Our first reading talks about God’s ultimate gift to all of us- everlasting life in paradise.  Then, we will be provided with a rich, never ending feast that meets all of our needs and wants.  But we’re not there yet.    While we live this life, our goal should be to love others as Jesus did.  God gave the world his only son, Jesus, at Christmas.  Jesus gave abundantly of his talent and fed thousands in the miracles.  His focus was on giving abundantly to meet real needs.  His focus was on fulfilling God’s plan.  And he achieved salvation for us all by doing so.  That is ultimate happiness and self-fulfillment.   

Maybe we should try the same thing- giving of ourselves.  It might make us happier than all the wants we can think of! 

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Hold Firm for a “Little While”.

Thursday, May 10th, 2018

Thursday of 6th Week of Easter
Acts 18:1-8; John 16: 16-20
Dc. Larry Brockman

“You will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” Such were the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples. They just didn’t understand what the “little while’s” meant in his words to them.

These men had been through it all with Jesus. Now that he had risen, they expected him to stay with them so that things would be the same as they had been during his earthly life and ministry. Or even better, that they would be part of some worldly conquest restoring the Jewish nation. But that wasn’t what Jesus meant to do at all. After all the breakdown of scripture he did for them, after all the time he spent with them, they still didn’t get it- that this life was not what it is all about.

Indeed, Jesus words apply to all of us today too. It will seem that Jesus is not with us, particularly when the world closes in on us with its skepticism, cynicism, doubt, and persecution of our true Faith- and especially when we get close to death. That will cause us to grieve; but our grief can be turned to joy if we hold firm to the end in our belief, our faith and follow the Gospel path in Jesus footsteps.

I visit a local hospital twice a week to help the chaplain. I visit a lot of folks there who are facing death. Some of them have been suddenly plucked from the mainstream of life and now face an uncertain future in this world- a heart attack, a stroke, a cancer diagnosis- or any of a number of other surprises. And it is clear that many of them are scared- scared of infirmity or death.

Even many of those who profess to believe are scared of death. They are in the middle of that “little while” where it seems God has abandoned them. Many can only think about what they will be missing if they die- their children, their activities, their retirement; as if these things are the whole meaning of their life. To be sure, many are concerned about leaving loved ones vulnerable, a sense of duty, as well. Indeed many of these folks are preoccupied with the world at a time when they should be getting closer to God. Some are even angry with God rather than working to get closer to Him.
Now I bring all this up because we are a people who like to be in control. We like to plan everything in our lives. We plan for our education, for employment, for marriages, for child rearing, for entertainment, and for retirement.

Well how many of us plan for our real future, everlasting life? Because after we pass on, we have this wonderful hope for the future, one that is guaranteed for those who believe and practice their faith. It is an everlasting life in heaven with God and with all of those who love him.

Have you ever thought about what that would be like? Have you planned for it? Because, you see, if you think about earthly situations where we hold grudges, don’t forgive, avoid certain kinds of people, and work for our own benefit to the exclusion of others, well, it certainly won’t and can’t be like that in heaven, can it?

So, take advantage of today’s wake-up call by Jesus. Take some time to plan for the ultimate future. It may require some changes in your daily life. Then you will be ready for the future in a little while when Jesus will be with all of us again- all of us. And our grief will turn to joy.

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Perfection Through Suffering

Thursday, March 29th, 2018

Holy Thursday Morning Prayer
Heb 2:9b-10
Dc. Larry Brockman

So, the leader in the work of salvation was made perfect through suffering. And if the leader, Jesus Christ, had to bear his suffering with dignity and grace; how appropriate it is that we, who follow after our leader, must also learn to bear our suffering with dignity in grace.

I think that one of the things we easily overlook is that Jesus lived a normal life for some 30 of his 33 years. It is just the last three years that the majority of the Gospels relate to us. But therein lies the story. Jesus embraced his mission from the Lord, and carried his cross all the way to the end.

All of us are given a special gift by God- the gift of life. During our lives we are blessed with periods of joy- a joyful youth; a special courtship; children and grandchildren, wonderful vacations and leisure; great athletic ability; and special talents in music or art, for example. But in between the good times, there are challenges. Those challenges generally involve suffering- suffering which we really cannot, and in many cases should not avoid.

Now, suffering isn’t something we should go after, don’t get me wrong. That is not the point. Nevertheless, no matter who we are, will have to face suffering in the course of our lives- suffering which is dealt to us by way of circumstances and/or time. The loss of a loved one, an illness or infirmity, a job dilemma, a problem child, the ravages of war, an accident, hurricanes and fires, you name it. Those are the crosses that we have to bear.

And if we are to learn anything from this reading, it is that all of us who follow the will of God need to embrace our crosses with dignity and grace; even with a sense of joy. And in so doing, we become perfect through that suffering.
That’s what Jesus example in the Gospel shows us. That through suffering, we will become better people, purified in our quest for the Kingdom of God.

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