Not Worthy, but Loved

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

 

~~~ 1 Timothy 2:1-8 ~~~ Psalm 28 ~~~ Luke 7:1-10 ~~~

 

Lord, do not trouble yourself,
for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.
Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you;
but say the word and let my servant be healed...

 

It is these very words spoken by the centurion centuries ago

that we echo during each Mass today.

Least we be confused we are both unworthy and worthy

at the same time.

 

We are unworthy because there is nothing we can do on our own

 to be worthy of all that God does for us.

We are worthy because God has chosen us...

called us each by name...created us wonderfully made.

We are worthy because God determined that we each had value.

God determined that we had worth.

Jesus validated God's intention of our worth by dying on the cross for us.

We do not determine our worth in the eyes of God...

he does that for us.

 

 

We may have the ability to make ourselves noteworthy...

We definitely can determine how trustworthy a person we are...

 

We are unworthy because we are flawed, imperfect, deficient in so many ways.

It is only through God that our deficiencies are made whole again.

 

Being made worthy by the word of God is about humility.

We cannot claim that we deserve anything from God.

He wants to be near to us...he wants us to become the living tabernacle...

he wants us to receive him body and blood into our very being...

he wants us to become one with him.

 

All we need do is accept his coming to us...his healing us...

his compassion extended toward us.

 

Jacob expresses this prayer to God for all that he has done for him.

I am unworthy of all the acts of kindness and faithfulness

that you have performed for your servant... Genesis 32:11

 

Worthy or unworthy God comes to us in the Eucharist.

Good comes to us in the silence of our hearts.

God comes to heal our soul to make us whole once again.

God comes to us to make us better today than we were yesterday.

 

You may not feel worthy, but the love God has for you is real.

Express your gratitude for his love today.

 

God says the word...so that you can then say...

I am worthy.

I am worthy because I am loved.

 

Blessings come from his words of everlasting love.

Lost and Found

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

~~Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 ~~Psalm 51~~1 Timothy 1:12-17~~Luke 15:1-32~~

 

Most of us have had the experience of losing something we valued.

The shepherd is missing one of his sheep.

The woman is missing one of her ten coins.

The father is missing one of his sons.

 

These loses are real and important to each of these individuals.

If they did not care they would never have experienced the anguish of loss.

The degree by which you miss something is connected

to the value it holds for you.

 

Sometimes what we are missing is not even visible.

Sometimes we are missing something that only the heart can value.

The sheep, the one coin, the young son, which of these is more valuable?

They are each valued in a special way to the shepherd,

the woman, and to the father.

 

When the shepherd finds the lost sheep he picks him up

drapes him around his shoulders and happily

carries him to the safety of the flock.

 

When the woman finds her lost coin she announces her good fortune

 to all of her friends and neighbors.

 

When the father sees his son returning

 in the distance he orders the fattest calf to be prepared.

Upon the arrival of his son he adorns him

with fine garments and the celebration begins.

 

 

There is no mystery as to who the return of the son represents;

each of us as children of God the Father.

 

...the grace of our Lord has been abundant...

 

Imagine there is a lost and found room in heaven.

When we have lost our way there is always hope

 that we will return to the Father.

It does not matter how long it takes for us to return

the Father will take us back with open arms.

 

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

 

When we sin it is as if we are the lost sheep.

When we sin we loose part of ourselves

until someone reveals the light of truth to us.

The woman lights her lamp and carefully searches

 her house until she finds the lost coin.

 

I pray that God will use me to light the lamp

to help someone find their way back to the Father.

 

When we sin it is never too late to repent...to return to the father's house.

Admitting that we are not worthy to be taken back is the attitude

 of repentance that makes the father love us even more.

 

Lord, I am not worthy but only say the word I will be healed...

Being healed is synonymous with being found.

Because you are valuable there will be rejoicing

 when you return to the Father.

 

Blessings come in returning to the Father no matter

how long you have been lost.

The Cross of Our Salvation

 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

 

~~~ Numbers 21:4b-9~~Psalm 78~~Philippians 2:6-11~~John 3:13-17~~~

Have you ever wondered what happened to the cross
upon which the body of Jesus was nailed?
Where did they put the cross stained with his holy blood?
Was it buried, burned, hidden, or used again at some future date?

Jewish tradition holds that the cross was hidden
somewhere near the site.
In 326 Saint Helena traveled to Jerusalem
to excavate the area searching for the true cross.
Three crosses were found
one presumably that upon which hung the body of Jesus.

 Constantine ordered the construction of churches
on the excavation site and on Mount Calvary.
These churches were dedicated on September 13 and 14, 335.
By the year 720 the feast of the cross had spread universally.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.

 

On the one hand it seems odd that we would have a special day
 set aside to reflect on the cross.
The cross itself consisted of two separate pieces of wood;
one perpendicular to the other.
The wood itself has no real significance,
 it becomes important to us because of who was hung
upon these two wooden beams.

The cross symbolizes an instrument of torture
an excruciatingly painful way to die.
  

 

God instructed Moses to lift up the serpent high upon his staff
 so that those bitten could gaze upon it and be healed.
So it is with the cross...Jesus was lifted up on the cross
 so that we may come in humility always to remember how he loved us.
...the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
 

 The crucifix is the most visual symbol of our salvation.
Without the crucifixion we might have forgotten the agony
 by which Jesus endured for our sake.
...for the sake of the whole world...

 

I invite you to spend time with the crucifix today.
Look with eyes of gratitude and praise for what was done for you
that day when Jesus hung upon the cross.

Without the cross we might not be able to appreciate
 our many blessings. 

Abundant Grace and Debris Removal

Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

 

~~~ 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14 ~~~ Psalm 16 ~~~ Luke 6:39-42 ~~~

 

I am grateful to him who has strengthened me...

 

Several times in the last five years I can confirm that it was only

because of God giving me strength;

 I have carried on from one day to the next day.

I am truly grateful for the many experiences he has brought

 me into and led me through.

Some have been life changing others are a work in progress.

It is in times of trials and heartaches that we need the strength from God.

 

When things are going well we may not be as cognizant

of even having strength,

much less being grateful for it coming from God.

 

Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

It is the Lord who can counsel us.
It is the Lord who shows the path to life.

A blind person cannot lead the way.
If you are to be the leader you must be able to see where you are going. 

You cannot be the one who tells your friends
 their faults and sins when your own you overlook. 

It is easier to see someone else's faults.
It is easier to be critical of others.
It is easy to set higher standards for others
while excusing yourself.

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
 

 Have you ever noticed that what bothers you the most in someone else
 is the very same thing you yourself struggle with every day.

 Or it is the same thing you deny is part of your list of faults.

I think back to the last supper, when Peter was so worried about
who was going to betray Jesus when in the end
 he too openly denied knowing Jesus.

Whether we are blind, trained, or riddled with splinters
it is the Lord was who reveals to us our faults and shortcomings.

 It is better for us to focus on our own faults
 before we begin to point out the faults of others.

Why is it that finding fault with others some how makes us feel better.
It seems a little arrogant. Or is it that we really
do not want to see our own faults?

 

 So we pretend they do not exist.
We actually get upset if someone notices the splinter in our eye.

 It is God who searches our heart. He knows our faults.
He knows everything about us.
 

He gives us the abundant grace to not only see our own wooden beams
but the strength to carefully remove them.
Blessings in God giving us the strength
to remove our own wooden beams.

What Size Do You Wear?

~~~ Colossians  3:12-17 ~~~ Psalm 150 ~~~ Luke 6:27-38 ~~~

 

Let the heavenly celebrations begin.

Saints Paul and Luke provide us the perfect recipe

for a life filled with unbelievable joy.

At first glance we are all excited...

 

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...

 

When life is great and things are going well it is easy

to be kind and helpful to others.

If only there was this body suit we could 'put on'...

perhaps we could purchase it in just our size from the religious bookstore or

better yet order it online from the privacy of our home.

 

Perhaps it would come splashed with colors representing

 the qualities of being God's chosen ones.

What if you could custom design it...pick out your own color for compassion,

kindness, humility, and the others?

 

The day finally arrives when your very own body suit arrives...

made just for you to fit perfectly.

At first you are so excited to wear your new garment.

You are so happy to be one of God's chosen ones.

 

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 

Little be little the colors of your body suit begin to fade.

People come into your life challenging

your commitment to acting holy and beloved.

Their words and actions begin to irritate you.

You do not notice the colors of your beautiful suit are getting dimmer.

Then one day you decide not to 'put on' this body suit you once wore so happily.

 

love your enemies and do good to them

 

It becomes harder and harder to love those who are your enemies.

Soon you forget what it means to have compassion for others...

soon you begin to believe gentleness is for the weak.

You begin to believe that you are entitled to better treatment than others...

that you are better than those around you.

 

 

Then one day, by the grace of God,

 you find it in your heart to extend a kindness to one

of those irritating people in your life. 

Little by little you begin to remember that day when you first 'put on'

your new body suit.

Something glorious stirs in your heart.

 

Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

You search in your closet and in the dresser drawers until you find it...

the beautiful body suit made just for you.

Even though it is faded you 'put it on' anyway.

You go about your day determined to treat others with love,

compassion, kindness, humility, kindness and patience.

 

You notice the change; the colors of your body suit

begin to revive themselves.

With each passing day as you treat others with heartfelt love

the colors return to their original intensity.

 

Of course this is just a fictional story I made up,

but it is so far from the truth?

I wonder.

Doing good for others encourages one to sing and dance with joy.

 

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

 

With gratitude in our hearts let us go forth today spreading the love of God.

Give it away freely; after all it was given to you freely.

 

'Put on' your body suit of brilliant colors and treat others well.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

This will keep the colors vibrant and you heart will be filled with joy.

 

Blessings today in keeping your colors vibrant...

You were chosen by him for this task

to love beyond your comfort zone.

 

What size do you wear?

Twelve Years Later: God Bless America

~~~ Colossians 3:1-11 ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ Luke 6:20-26 ~~~

 

Christ is all and in all.

Today as we remember the events of twelve years ago it is fitting
to have these beautiful readings.
Everyone old enough has a very vivid memory of where they were
 and what they were doing when the news of the attacks
 on the Twin Towers was broadcast.
Today it is another opportunity to confirm in our lives
that Christ is all and in all.

Twelve years ago, some asked where was God.
Many more revealed stories
exactly how God had been with them that morning.
Today we remember the day we witnessed great evil
and the magnificent goodness within people.

  seek what is above,
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

Many who died that day made decisions surely motivated
by that which is beyond this earth...that which is of God...heavenly.
 

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly
  put on the new self

The new self must be one of forgiveness and peace.
Anger and fury must be removed from our hearts otherwise
there can be no peace.
Peace must begin in my heart and in your heart.
If we are ever to have Peace in this world it begins in each of our hearts.

The new self Paul speaks of is about putting on Christ.
Adorning ourselves in body, mind, and spirit with goodness.
Jesus gave us the ultimate example of forgiveness.
It is a daily struggle to follow his example even in small things
much less in something as horrifying as 9/11.

He never pretended that it would be easy.
We must daily take up our cross and follow him.

Forgiven but not Forgotten. 

 

 

The words of the Beatitudes say it all...
 

Blessed are you who are poor 

 for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

 

The word Beatitude means blessedness, grace.
Without grace we will not make progress toward our heavenly reward.
The Sermon on the Mount was the blueprint of our home in heaven.
The master designer carefully drew up these plans for us.

It is not easy to rejoice and leap for joy when you are hungry,
sad, or feeling rejected. 

But Jesus is telling us these things have a flip side.
They will be turned into satisfaction, laughter, and validation
because of the grace given to us through him.. 

 

So here we are twelve years later...
are we in a better place...
has our faith increased....
are we more willing to forgive?
How are you doing?
Is your heart in a better place today?

Blessings today in giving thanks for those who lives were sacrificed.
It was the realization for all of us just how destructive evil can become.
There is only one path to follow for healing and that is
the path of Peace and Forgiveness.

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly
  put on the new self...

This is how we follow the heavenly path.
God Bless America...
and shed his grace down upon us.

Who Captivates You?

 

~~~ Colossians 2:6-15 ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ Luke 6:12-19 ~~~

 

 Its clear from the gospel today that Jesus chose ordinary men to follow him.
Ordinary, because they had no prerequisites to become his disciples.
He chose them based on their willingness to being open to his message.
 

See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy...

 

Jesus did indeed captivate those he chose in the beginning,
but he still captivates today.
He wants to captivate us.

Captivate...to influence, to dominate, to attract
and hold by some special charm, beauty, art, trait or excellence.

Jesus was no traveling circus act. He was no magician.
Jesus did have the defining characteristics to captivate those around him.

What captivates you today?
All too often it is not beauty that captivates us but rather something shocking.

 Advertisers try to captivate us, enticing us to buy their product.
Editors try to captivate us with their flashy headlines.

 What is it about Jesus that captivates you?
...the horrific crucifixion...his unconditional love...
his mercy and forgiveness...What?

Whatever it takes to captivate an audience Jesus clearly possessed.

 

 

Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him
because power came forth from him and healed them all.

 

Jesus did not need to use gimmicks or bells and whistles to attract crowds of people.
Jesus held the attention of the people because he was different...
he brought him from heaven healing power.
His 'charm' came through his ability to see what your soul needed.
Jesus could tell where you needed to be healed...physically or spiritually.

Imagine standing with Jesus; just after being invited to follow him
...to be one of his apostles and now he is healing crowds of people.

These men continued to be captivated just being in the presence of Jesus,
witnessing how many people came to him...
gathered around him just to touch some part of him.

It captivates me even now just to reflect on this wondrous scene.
Today we see this acted out for celebrities and rock stars
who have no power to heal.

Jesus spent the night praying for those ordinary men
he had chosen to be his apostles.
Today we are the ordinary men and women Jesus is relying on...
can he captivate your heart?
What will it take in this day and time to be captivated by Jesus,
the son of a simple carpenter.

Blessings today in believing God does still captivate hearts.
He is calling you to respond.