Monday - Fourth Week of Lent

Today's readings: March 23, 2009
Reading One: Is 65:17-21;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b ;
Gospel: Jn 4:43-54; go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)

As a parent, it is easy to relate to the royal official with a sick child, and share his sorrow with a compassionate heart. As I reflect on this, I am reminded off a previous post discussing the Latin origins of the word mercy. But there is more going on here, because as a parent, we know when our child is sick and suffering, there is often not much we can do, and we are left feeling helpless, in spite of our desire to share our child's sorrow. But with our faith firmly fixed on Jesus, there is hope. The parent of the sick child asks Jesus to help heal his child. I am pretty certain this plea comes from the deepest regions of his heart. And Jesus replies to this request with a response that seems harsh,

Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.

I think Jesus' reply is only a test, to show how deeply the man is aware of his neediness, and also how much faith he has in Jesus. And the reason is so others might come to better understand their own weakness and also, to increase their faith in Jesus.

Jesus tells the royal official his child is healed, and that is all he needs to hear. As he is returning home - he is greeted by one of his slaves who tells him his child is well. And the man realizes that hiss child got well the moment that Jesus said he was healed. This story sounds very similar to the story of the Centurion with the sick slave. Jesus offers to return to his house, but the Centurion explains he feels unworthy to have Jesus come to his house, and all he needs to do - is to say the word and his slave will be healed. When Jesus tells him to go home, that he slave is healed - the Centurion leaves thrilled and happy. And Jesus tells the crowd - never before in all of Israel has he seen such faith. The words - Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed - are the last words of prayer we say before we go to receive communion. Take a moment to reflect on the faith of the Centurion and also of the royal official in today's Gospel. And if you need help, like we all do - ask Jesus to increase your faith - so that you might be healed.

Yesterday, as part of my Lenten Journey - I decided to clean my garage, which had reached a level of scary filth of Biblical proportions. Think I am exaggerating in my little fantasy world? Ok - allow me to humble myself and tell the truth - how bad the garage neglect was. Years ago, like 5 or 6 years ago, I lost a wonderful pet to old age. The pet was an awesome cat named Duke - and I loved him with all my heart and returned the gift with all of his heart. The first year I got Duke - the Duke Blue devils won the NCAAs in 1991 and then won again in 1992. (i think those are the correct years anyway). But, as he got older - his teeth went bad and finally he got so bad he could barely stand and he didn't feel like eating any more. The day before he disappeared for good, I petted him on seat cushion for over an hour or two. We all knew he was going die very soon. And the next day - he went away and never came back. We all figured he went somewhere to die. And that was that. Till - about 5 years later when I decided to clean out the garage and I found his corpse mummified in the corner near some vermiculite that was once used to grow seeds. I included a few pictures in the animals album - it is not for the faint of heart, but for weirdos like me - it pretty cool. I have never seen anything like it. Now before you think I am a cold hearted rat - I love my little Dukie. And he will have proper burial today, I will offer some prayers from my Liturgy of the Hours, Office of the Dead section, and I will I hope, be blessed with the grace to fully believe that my Lord will hear my prayers, forgive me of my foolishness, and tell Dukie who is welcomed into heaven, how much I love him.

Saturday - Second Week of Lent

Today's readings: March 14, 2009
Reading One: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 ;
Gospel: Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 ; go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)

We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son, who returns home to his father after a life of dissipation. Note the juxtaposition of Psalm 103, which offers a song about how the Lord is kind and merciful, is not an accident of nature. Just like the father in the story, he forgives all His sons (and daughters too I would think). He is kind and merciful. But you say the one son who stayed home and didn't waste his life away like his younger brother who was acting like a fool. But he came home, and stopped doing what was wrong. And wasn't the older brother angry at his brother, and also his father too because it seemed unfair to him. Why was his father so happy to see the difficult son return, and then make him a succulent feast of fresh roasted lamb. Doesn't it seem unfair? I think most of us has played each of the characters in this story. The prodigal son, the loyal son, and also the father who forgives everyone in the story. The Lord is kind and merciful, ready to heal all the things you hold inside that might fill you with anger or animus, or all the things you want to get red of. It is such a shame we have to so often come home to God, like the prodigal son who followed his own designs. The funny thing though - all too often it is the older good son who takes longer to heal, because that character often feels a sense of righteous indignation. and this keeps him from changing his ways. The character we should strive for, is the father, who forgives each of sons. But that is God. Recognize all his children are less than God, who doesn't need us for anything. Still, he loves to help us. God helps you let it go, whatever that might be, and he live you live again, not afraid to love, if you only allow yourself to see, the things in yourself - where you are the prodigal son, and in situations where you are the older son who bears a grudge, or a chip on their shoulder. Let it go, give that up for Lent okay, you will make us all happy. Gos is the best doctor, and faith in Him is your medicine. that sometimes needs to be washed down with some humble pie.

In case you missed the photos from Black Mountain, Asheville and Cornelius NC posted yesterday, here's a link. (in a new easy, handy dandy photo album. Thank Brad for his helping hands and neurons installing the RPM Library and doing a few php tweaks.