5th Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:26-31; 1 John 3: 18-24; John 15: 1-8

Dc. Larry Brockman

Today’s Gospel says that you must be pruned to bear fruit.  Do you ever feel like you are being pruned?  I sure do- with a heart attack just 6 months ago, and now a back injury.  These things seem to be limiting me- and I end up being absorbed by the pain and these limitations.  I bet that most of you, too, are experiencing your share of pruning, and the self absorption that goes with it.  The pruning may be painful, physical sufferings, like sickness, disease, financial insecurity, or old-age.  Or it may be hidden, interior sufferings, like losing a loved one, having a moral dilemma at work, or watching a dear relative abandon their Catholic faith.  But whatever it is, it can challenge us because it is hard to focus on anything other than the suffering.   

And yet, I am reminded of a quote from St. Ignatius of Loyola:  “If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that he has great designs for you, and that he certainly intends to make you a saint.”  So, there is good news here for all of us who feel we suffer.  Because, if you can bear fruit in the face of suffering, then you have the inside track for becoming a saint.   

In the second reading, St. John speaks about what we need to do to bear fruit.  He says we need to love, not just in word or speech, but in deed or truth.  But what does that really mean?   

Our society preaches tolerance, and perhaps to an extreme.  It teaches that everyone should be given the freedom to “choose”, t To choose what’s right just for them.  And that even if they choose “wrong” in the eyes of a majority; that’s OK, as long as it doesn’t exceed some society defined standards.  Unfortunately, as we become a more secular society, that standard has changed and become more permissive.  Hence, gay marriage, abortion, and assisted suicide appear to be gaining in acceptance by our society; so do pornography, sex outside of marriage and drugs.  Yes, integral to this secular standard is the right to pick and choose; because right is relative- relative to one’s ability to discern or handle the situation,- that’s the picking part; and the choice relates to the situation itself- that is, what is good just for me in this situation; and that’s the choosing part.  So, for example, when someone is aged, disabled and suffering, a victim of the pruning I talked about earlier, society is beginning to think it’s OK for them to choose “ending it all” to relieve their suffering.  The state governments in Oregon and Washington believe it is, because assisted suicide is legal there.   

Now it seems to me that Catholics are beginning to apply this external secular set of standards, and the pick and choose philosophy that goes with it, to their attitudes about their Faith.  The head of Notre Dame is doing just that in awarding President Obama an honorary degree.  He has chosen to pick and choose the relative merits- favoring prestige over life.   

Are we guilty of similar behavior?  I’m not talking about choosing sin, because we choose to sin sometimes, and we know we are sinning.  Then we seek forgiveness for it.  The point being that we still recognize that sin is wrong.  Rather, I’m talking about choosing to accept or reject what our church teaches in certain areas in such a way that we delude ourselves into thinking that there is no sin where the Church teaches that there is.  This picking and choosing is exactly what constitutes the difference between loving in word and speech, and loving in deed and truth.  

It isn’t sufficient for us to just look like good Catholics – by praying, coming to Mass, and involving our children in Prep or CCD.   But we also must make a daily effort to live like good Catholics: by studying Church teachings until we understand and embrace them so that they becomes part of our own life; by speaking up for Christ’s truth to our congress and state legislators, even when it is unpopular; by going out of our way to help others; and by resisting temptation and carrying our crosses with elegance.  We must be faithful to both Catholic morality and to what we perceive is our life-mission, even if it means enduring discomforts like hardship, ridicule, and persecution.  That’s all part of the consequences of the pruning- a constriction of our options so we are able to bear fruit in the areas God wants for us to excel.   

That’s what loving in deed and truth means.  It means loving God and his will for us first,  instead of choosing what is the most comfortable or expedient response.  In other words, we love God by our obedience to God’s law as our first priority.   

Such love takes patience, courage, self sacrifice, and humility to be effective.  This weekend we celebrate Mother’s day.  I can think of no better example of what it means to be loving in deed and truth, than the example set forth by so many of our mothers.  Patience, yes- the kind of patience it takes to handle your children who constantly try to stretch the boundaries.  Courage, yes- the kind of courage it takes to be consistent with your children in your dealings with them.  Self sacrifice- absolutely, the kind of self sacrifice that puts your children’s education and care ahead of your own wants.  And last and most importantly, humility- also yes, the kind it takes to clean up after your children, whenever and wherever the needs arises.  And these wonderful mothers definitely bear fruit because their children are a living testimony to their efforts.     

Today, as we hear that we are the branches, and Christ is the vine, let us accept the fact that our sufferings are our opportunities, not just meaningless pain into which we become self absorbed, and then seek to act with a humble and loving heart to make the most of those opportunities to bear fruit.  For, as St Vincent de Paul put it:  “The most powerful weapon to conquer the Devil is humility.   For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it.”   

  March 15, 2009

Third Sunday of Lent (Year A)

Ex 17: 3-7; Rom 5: 1-2, 5-8; Jn 4: 5-42

Dc. Larry Brockman

Thirst!  What are you thirsting for?  Are you like the Israelite people, concerned totally with living in the world?  Exodus describes the Israelites journey to escape slavery from the Egyptians and establish a new land flowing with milk and honey.  But once they had escaped from the Egyptians, the Israelites lost sight of what that really meant.  They were caught up in the details of the journey and everyday life.  Their concern was over food and water- their mere sustenance, not the dream that God had for his people- the covenant God had made with them to give them the promised land.  And so, they agitated for food- which God provided in the manna and the quail; and then the water, as we heard in the first reading

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman starts out the same way.  She is there for sustenance- until Jesus shakes her from her apathy.  Here is a woman who was obviously not happy.  She had gone through 5 husbands, and was with a 6th man.  She had not found what she was looking for in any of the relationships that she had. 

Although those were different times and places, and different circumstances that don’t seem relevant in our day and age, the fact is that our society is just as restless and thirsty as the Israelites were.  We are looking for the quick fix- the infusion of government dollars, to quench the thirst of a runaway financial fire.  As a society, we are looking for quick gratification rather than the ultimate answers that treat the root problem. 

And we are restless as individuals too.  We are thirsting- thirsting for that which will satisfy us in this life.  But we mistakenly seek the momentary quenching of that thirst by the pleasures of life just like the Samaritan woman did, and so, we need the “living water” that Jesus spoke about. 

There’s a very interesting book I once read called “The Holy Longing” by Ronald Rolheiser.  The book talks about spirituality.  He says that “Spirituality concerns what we do with our desires”.  Isn’t that another way to say that Spirituality concerns what we do to satisfy our thirsts?  So maybe what the woman at the well really wanted, was to find herself spiritually.  And we are all in the same boat.  We are all seeking the real meaning of life, thirsting for an answer that will satisfy us over the long haul. 

It seems to me that there are a number of modern obstacles to developing our spirituality:  First, we put a wall between the living of life and our experience with the Church.  Once we leave mass on Sunday, we have a tendency to leave the spiritual part of our lives behind.  But the reality is that our spirits are longing for God to be right there along side of us in everything we do because that’s what it means to be a Christian and that is what brings us lasting joy and happiness.  Second, we have a tendency to reject our Christian heritage in favor of a wave of 21st century knowledge.  Yes- knowledge in science, technology, medicine, psychology, and all the modern fields has advanced at a rapid pace.  But, if we really believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and that God speaks through the tradition of his Church, then when it comes to living our lives in such a way that we can find meaning in our lives and grow closer to God,  we need to look to our Christian heritage for those answers.  God is spirit- and our spirits will be nurtured best by engaging the Church for nourishing our spirituality. 

What is it that our spirits are thirsting for?  In the book I mentioned, the author identifies four essential elements of a healthy spirituality.  These are basically derived from the things we are asked to do during Lent- Prayer, Almsgiving, and Fasting:  First, he identifies private prayer and proper personal morality.  Prayer should begin in our homes, with our families.  But, our parish abounds in opportunities to develop this element.  The adoration chapel, prayer groups, and adult education programs are constantly being advertised. 

Second is social justice.  Yes, that means all of us need to be involved helping others less fortunate than ourselves.  Again, social justice begins in the home, in the way we relate to our families.  But we need to do more, we need to extend ourselves, and hopefully as a family.  Again, there are opportunities in the Parish.  As examples, we have a fantastic St. Vincent de Paul program, a very active respect Life Program, and we participate in feeding the poor through Helping Hands. 

The third element is Mellowness of heart and soul.  This element is achieved by self sacrifice and community.  Fasting, or self sacrifice, helps to sensitize ourselves to what suffering means to others.  It helps foster a sense of compassion.  In addition, we tend to be bitter and angry about some of the things in our life; or we may tend to be self absorbed and weak.  In any event, community is a great way to treat these weaknesses.  That community begins in our own homes, with our family.  But we need a larger community.  We need community with a group of people that listens when we need a friend; and that we can enjoy life with as we share our common values.  Belonging to such a community softens our bitterness, and gets us away from self.  Again, the Church is the place to find that people to form that community. 

And the fourth element is belonging to a worshiping community which we are all doing already when we come together and witness to our faith. 

But all of these elements need to be in proper balance.  That is the key to a healthy spirituality.  You need to be involved in all of these elements, not predominantly one or another. 

We are in the middle of Lent, the perfect time to reflect on our lives, find the living water, and grow closer to God.  In our midst, there are catechumens who have chosen to make a significant commitment to our Church.  Unlike us cradle Catholics, they have chosen the faith that we profess.  They are a great example of people in the middle of the process I have outlined this morning.  For those of us who are already Catholic, and who thirst for the real meaning of life, like the woman at the well did, recall the words of the great St. Augustine.  “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” 

 

February 1, 2009

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dt 18: 15-20: 1 Cor 7: 32-35 ;Mk 7:21-28

Dc. Larry Brockman

“The devil made me do it”- a line from Flip Wilson’s old Reverend Leroy character.  We used to laugh, because of the hypocrisy- excusing one’s personal actions by placing the blame on the devil.  At least there was recognition of the devil and evil.  What is worse, is acting like there is no devil by excusing evil, and ignoring it.   

In our society today, collective consciences have been dulled, dulled by the acceptance of everybody as they are, and the idea that everyone has the freedom to choose, and that you can’t, and shouldn’t, legislate morality.  The argument against legislating morality is this:  “Let them do their thing;  They will have to suffer the consequences of their own actions; I shouldn’t judge others; and I don’t need to get involved.”  So, we collectively seem to look the other way when a line needs to be drawn, a line that defines when something becomes evil and adverse to society as a whole.  And even when our consciences tell us there is evil, we are all so busy with the activities and people in our own lives, we find it hard to marshal our resources and fight evil collectively and effectively.   

Last weekend was a notable exception.  The parish collected nearly 3000 postcard sets to send our Congress in a collective fight against the Freedom of Choice Act.  We can all be proud of that- Congratulations.  But the war against evil doesn’t end with one battle.  It goes on and on.  God knows that; and so, he sends us Prophets.  As we recall Moses words today, recognize that they are meant just as much for you and I as they were meant for the Israeli people.   

The Old Testament is the recorded history of a repeated cycle of events.  The people came to the Lord in times of Crisis and a perceived evil, and God provided for thewm, and so, the Israelis prevailed.  Then they experienced prosperity.  That was followed by the people abandoning God’s will for them, because they were self absorbed by their prosperity and didn’t think they needed God or his will.  So along came the words of warning by a new set of prophets.  The Israeli people then lost prosperity as evil crept back.  They finally listened to the prophets, but only after experiencing ruin.  And then the cycle repeated itself.   

We are no different.  After decades of prosperity since the great Depression, we are being told that a hard time is coming.  And so, we need to listen to the modern day prophets.  Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not taking about the prophets of financial gloom and doom, although there is certainly some truth in what they say.  Rather, I’m talking about the prophets of the Lord.  The Church has many such prophets- our Pope and Bishops.  You see, the root of our problem comes in moral decay, and we need to listen to the prophets that address it.   

The evidence of moral decay is overwhelming- rampant lust driven by Pornography; gay marriage driven by a lack of understanding of God’s natural law; and we all know that our financial crisis was fueled by greed.  And that greed fed all kinds of selfish behavior- lying, embezzlement, opulent living, etc..  Where did all of this selfish behavior come from?  The prophets of the Lord are speaking loud and clear, but are we listening. 

Consider this:  If we are a God fearing nation, then the Right to Life argument makes sense.  If you don’t believe in God, why would you care if a person in the womb was another human being?  The thing that matters is your convenience- that is the ultimate good, not God’s will.  That’s why it’s called pro-Choice, because choice for the individual is what matters, not God’s will. 

Now you might think that this kind of thinking on abortion doesn’t have far reaching implications. But it does.  It leads to assisted suicide, because that’s what some think is best for them; and it leads to Euthanasia, because that’s what some think is best for their suffering or for very old person’s family or finances.  Historians tell us that the same process occurred in Germany as Hitler rose to power.  First came the abortions, then Euthanasia, and then this kind of thinking led to the horrific holocaust, because the people in power decided that they, not God, knew how the ultimate strong society could be evolved.  It also led to separation of children from their parents, because the state knew better how and what children needed to be taught.   

Can it happen here?  Oregon and Washington already have laws that foster “choice” for assisted Suicide, and California has adopted a first step toward Euthanasia.  Our country cannot say prayers in the schools; our president and the majority of Congress favor Pro-Choice, and the public school system suppresses anything that doesn’t recognize secular teaching on evolution.  Yes, it can happen here.   

In fact, the voices of those who are pro-choice, evolutionists, and atheists sound very much like the possessed person in today’s Gospel.  They sound like this:  “What have you to do with us, you Christians, you are trying to destroy us”?  And then comes the follow up argument:  “Leave us alone”.  Well, the time has come for all of you to be concerned.  You need to help cast these demons out of those who deny God, His law, and His will.  And your efforts must be as relentless as theirs.  Make no mistake about it.  There is a devil, and there is evil, absolute evil, not “it depends” and “it’s relative”.  The evil needs to be met with authoritative teaching like what our Church is telling us.   

One of the great things about this country is that we still have the power to make things happen with our collective voice.  The country wanted economic change.  We are going to get it, for better or worse.  But I sincerely believe the country did not vote for a pro-choice change, euthanasia, and a movement away from “One nation under God” to accommodate a minority.  You all have the power to make a moral change.  But that power comes by relentless action to live the will of God and profess it with your votes. 

Let it never happen, that some day you ever say  “The devil made me do it.”