BIBLE STUDY # 18
THIRTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
OCTOBER 31, 2010
Gospel Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
"Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over."
And Jesus said to him,
"Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost."
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
We are almost at the end of Jesus long trip to Jerusalem when Jesus goes to the nearby city of Jericho, the lowest permanently inhabited site on earth which is also considered to be the oldest city in the world. After this story about Zacchaeus the tax collector, Luke relates the parable of the Ten Gold Coins, and then Jesus goes to Jerusalem, where he will shortly undergo his passion, death, and resurrection.
This story is unique to Luke’s Gospel. As Jesus enters Jericho, he attracts a crowd. Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, can’t see him because he is short in stature, so he climbs a tree to see him better. What happens next is interesting because Zacchaeus doesn’t speak to Jesus or approach him, but it is Jesus who makes the first move. Jesus sees him in the tree and says, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”
Although it doesn’t say specifically in the Gospel, I think Zacchaeus was interested in doing more the just seeing Jesus; he was interested in following him. I say that because as a tax collector he would have been outside of the society. He would have been considered a traitor and banned form their religion. I think he wanted to see if Jesus had a better way and if he would be accepted by him. Think of how lonely he would have been, being shunned by most of society.
As it turns out, Zacchaeus didn’t have to do anything; Jesus invites himself to his house, a symbol that he is accepted and that Jesus wants to be a part of his life. At the end of the Gospel, Jesus says to Zacchaeus, “Today, salvation has come to this house.”
Jesus mission, as he says at the very end of the Gospel is “to seek and to save what was lost.” He reaches out to Zacchaeus and invited him to salvation. Jesus reaches out to all of us and invites us to salvation. We are all sinners like Zacchaeus and Jesus offers us salvation through his dying and rising for our sins.
This salvation is offered to us freely and we can accept this salvation or turn it down. Jesus respects our free will and will never force us to accept him. Zacchaeus accepted that invitation because he came down from the tree and “received him with joy.”
Jesus reaches out to us every day and in many ways: through sacraments, especially mass and confession, personal prayer, scripture, in other people reaching gout to us, and in opportunities to do good for others to name a few. The problem is that we aren’t looking for him. He is seeking us, and if we look, we will find Him. We need to be like Zacchaeus and go to any length necessary to find Him.
Zacchaeus also symbolizes the universal mission of the church. No one is excluded and all are welcome. This past Thursday evening our Bishop came to St. Joseph’s to administer the sacrament of confirmation to 32 of our teenagers. I mentioned to him that it was quite a diverse group, with one candidate from Vietnam, one from the Philippines, and one from South Africa. Every one is welcome and accepted in the church. In fact, if you look hard enough, you can find a catholic church wherever you go.
One indication that someone has met and accepted Jesus in their life is that their life has changed in some ways. Certainly this happened with Zacchaeus. He is described not only as a tax collector, but the chief tax collector, and a very wealthy man. Any recent convert or one who has come back to the faith is usually very enthusiastic about their newfound faith and wants to somehow get involved. It seems to me that Zacchaeus was like this, and what did he have to offer? "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over."
It seems to me that donating this money was his way to give thanks to God for the blessings of newfound faith. And, Jesus seems satisfied with this offer. Although he would still be rich after he gave away this money, Jesus was OK with that. So, after we accept Jesus and our life changes, our attitude toward money and possessions should change, also. We should be less concerned about what we have and more concerned with what type of person we are and how we can use our money to help others.
It also tells us that having money and possessions is not a sin. What is sinful is the accumulation and retention of wealth as our top priority in life. It is the refusal to share what we have that is sinful. In the previous chapter in Luke’s Gospel, a rich young man asks Jesus about inheriting eternal life. After Jesus tells him to follow the commandments, he also tells him to sell what he has, give to the poor, and he will have treasure in heaven. Only then does he invite the young man to follow him. The rich young man was so enamored of his possessions that he immediately turned and walked away. He didn’t want to let go of anything.
I think Jesus was testing him. He should have questioned Jesus about this, or did what Zacchaeus did and offer to give some (even a lot) of it away. It seems to me that Jesus would have been satisfied with that. I think the difference between the rich young man and Zacchaeus is that the latter did not let money and possessions dominate his life anymore, whereas the former was totally controlled by his things and would not even think about Jesus offer of salvation.
In my wedding homily I always include something about not letting the things of this world dominate their lives. As we all know, as life goes on, we become concerned with careers, paying bills, raising and educating children, among others; and all those things can dominate their lives. I encourage them to always remember why they married in the first place – they love each other. In scripture, love in its truest form is an action; it is something we do for one another. Love tells us that people are more important than possessions, that the time we spend with people is more important than what material things we can afford to give them, and that the value of life’s accomplishments lies more in who we are than what we have, and in the giving and receiving of love.
Zacchaeus teaches us that all people are welcome in our church; it is perfectly normal to have things but it is our responsibility to share what we have and who we are with others; that the Lord reaches out us in many ways, but we need to be looking to find Him; and that accepting Jesus changes our lives and leads us to eternal life.
Fr. Phil
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
BIBLE STUDY # 17
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
OCTOBER 24, 2010
Gospel Lk 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
Last week we heard about persevering in prayer. Jesus tells us to pray without getting weary, that is, to be consistent and persistent in prayer, whether we pray the rosary, at Mass, with scripture, by meditating and contemplating, or in any way we choose to communicate with God. This week Jesus tells us about the proper attitude of people who pray.
There are two people who are praying in the Temple area, a Pharisee and a tax collector. Pharisees were laymen who were influential in Israel and who attempted to live the Mosaic Law fully. They were strict observers of the Law. They were educated and generally from the upper class.
A tax collector was someone who was hired by the Roman authorities to collect taxes for Rome. They were given a set amount to collect and anything over and above that was theirs to keep. They were generally considered traitors and unrighteous for working for the Romans and were not accepted by the religious authorities in the Temple and the synagogues. They lived on the fringe of society, but could be well off financially.
The Pharisee is very self-righteous, and it shows up in his prayer. He compares himself to other people and comes out much better than them. He actually thanks God for making him better than other people. He says, “O God I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. Can you imagine? Whenever anyone starts spouting off like that to me, I respond, “And humble, too.”
I’m sure you’ve known people like that. They think they are God’s gift to us. They are perfect, and whenever something goes wrong, they always blame someone else; it could never be their fault. There’s an old joke that goes like this: “A woman says to her friend: when I married Mr. Right, I didn’t know his first name was Always.”
Can what this Pharisee said to God even be considered a prayer? Is he even capable of prayer? Looks to me like he is putting himself almost on a par with God. He is not communicating with God, he is telling God (and us) about his greatness. Since when is that a prayer? I bet that he thinks that he is so good that he hardly needs God’s help at all. This is the kind of man who would say to you: “I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong.”
Don’t these people drive you crazy? There is no talking to them. It’s sad in a way, because they are so wrapped up in themselves that there is no hope for them to understand their mistakes or to be humble before God. The Pharisee justifies himself because of his actions – he pays tithes and fasts twice a week. He is not asking God to approve of him; he doesn’t seem to need that. He thinks he is good enough by himself.
The tax collector, on the other hand, knows that he is a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness. He approaches God as one who needs God’s help. He looks to be forgiven. He is a humble man who understands about God and his own incapability in being a good person without God’s help. This is the attitude Jesus would have us take in our prayer.
The performance of religious practices is not enough. It is not good enough to be pious on the outside, but we need to be pious on the inside. Religious practices are to be done humbly and are supposed to help us deepen our relationship with God. They shouldn’t be done to impress other people.
The tax collector is justified not by anything he does, but because God justifies him. The Pharisee goes home unjustified because of his haughtiness. The spiritual author C.S. Lewis once wrote: “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.” Or, I would add, you can’t see the One above you.
First Reading Sir 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.
The Word of the Lord
Reflection
The Book of Sirach (otherwise known as Ecclesiasticus) was written between 200 B.C. and 175 B.C. by Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach who lived in Jerusalem and was imbued with a love of the Law, the priesthood, the Temple, and divine worship. His motive in writing this book was to help people maintain their religious faith through the study of the law and tradition. He has much advise on how people should live their lives and how they relate to God.
Today’s section is from a longer section concerning sacrifice and prayer. He says that for sacrifice to be pleasing and acceptable to God, it must be done humbly, out of genuine faith and in following the Law. Otherwise, sacrifice becomes hypocrisy and an empty ritual.
Our passage today says that God shows no impartiality and hears everyone. While the Lord does here the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, he also hears “The one who serves God willingly…his petition reaches the heavens.”
Serving God willingly means to follow God’s teachings as prescribed in the Law and in their tradition. Certainly, being humble would be part of that teaching and their tradition. While God hears the rich who follow his law and tradition, God does not judge by quantity, but by quality. It is more important to have a big heart than a big wallet.
Fr. Phil
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
OCTOBER 24, 2010
Gospel Lk 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
Last week we heard about persevering in prayer. Jesus tells us to pray without getting weary, that is, to be consistent and persistent in prayer, whether we pray the rosary, at Mass, with scripture, by meditating and contemplating, or in any way we choose to communicate with God. This week Jesus tells us about the proper attitude of people who pray.
There are two people who are praying in the Temple area, a Pharisee and a tax collector. Pharisees were laymen who were influential in Israel and who attempted to live the Mosaic Law fully. They were strict observers of the Law. They were educated and generally from the upper class.
A tax collector was someone who was hired by the Roman authorities to collect taxes for Rome. They were given a set amount to collect and anything over and above that was theirs to keep. They were generally considered traitors and unrighteous for working for the Romans and were not accepted by the religious authorities in the Temple and the synagogues. They lived on the fringe of society, but could be well off financially.
The Pharisee is very self-righteous, and it shows up in his prayer. He compares himself to other people and comes out much better than them. He actually thanks God for making him better than other people. He says, “O God I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. Can you imagine? Whenever anyone starts spouting off like that to me, I respond, “And humble, too.”
I’m sure you’ve known people like that. They think they are God’s gift to us. They are perfect, and whenever something goes wrong, they always blame someone else; it could never be their fault. There’s an old joke that goes like this: “A woman says to her friend: when I married Mr. Right, I didn’t know his first name was Always.”
Can what this Pharisee said to God even be considered a prayer? Is he even capable of prayer? Looks to me like he is putting himself almost on a par with God. He is not communicating with God, he is telling God (and us) about his greatness. Since when is that a prayer? I bet that he thinks that he is so good that he hardly needs God’s help at all. This is the kind of man who would say to you: “I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong.”
Don’t these people drive you crazy? There is no talking to them. It’s sad in a way, because they are so wrapped up in themselves that there is no hope for them to understand their mistakes or to be humble before God. The Pharisee justifies himself because of his actions – he pays tithes and fasts twice a week. He is not asking God to approve of him; he doesn’t seem to need that. He thinks he is good enough by himself.
The tax collector, on the other hand, knows that he is a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness. He approaches God as one who needs God’s help. He looks to be forgiven. He is a humble man who understands about God and his own incapability in being a good person without God’s help. This is the attitude Jesus would have us take in our prayer.
The performance of religious practices is not enough. It is not good enough to be pious on the outside, but we need to be pious on the inside. Religious practices are to be done humbly and are supposed to help us deepen our relationship with God. They shouldn’t be done to impress other people.
The tax collector is justified not by anything he does, but because God justifies him. The Pharisee goes home unjustified because of his haughtiness. The spiritual author C.S. Lewis once wrote: “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.” Or, I would add, you can’t see the One above you.
First Reading Sir 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.
The Word of the Lord
Reflection
The Book of Sirach (otherwise known as Ecclesiasticus) was written between 200 B.C. and 175 B.C. by Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach who lived in Jerusalem and was imbued with a love of the Law, the priesthood, the Temple, and divine worship. His motive in writing this book was to help people maintain their religious faith through the study of the law and tradition. He has much advise on how people should live their lives and how they relate to God.
Today’s section is from a longer section concerning sacrifice and prayer. He says that for sacrifice to be pleasing and acceptable to God, it must be done humbly, out of genuine faith and in following the Law. Otherwise, sacrifice becomes hypocrisy and an empty ritual.
Our passage today says that God shows no impartiality and hears everyone. While the Lord does here the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, he also hears “The one who serves God willingly…his petition reaches the heavens.”
Serving God willingly means to follow God’s teachings as prescribed in the Law and in their tradition. Certainly, being humble would be part of that teaching and their tradition. While God hears the rich who follow his law and tradition, God does not judge by quantity, but by quality. It is more important to have a big heart than a big wallet.
Fr. Phil
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
BIBLE STUDY
TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
October 17, 2010
Gospel Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, "There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'"
The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
The passage immediately preceding our gospel today tells us about Jesus second coming and what will happen at that time. Specifically, it talks about being prepared because we don’t know the day or time that Jesus will return. We need to be vigilant and prepared for this day that will bring judgment on all people.
The way to be prepared is to be persistent and consistent in prayer. In this parable, the judge gives into the woman’s request because she is persistent. If an unjust judge gives in because of persistence, how much more will God give us when we ask?
However, God is not the divine gift giver. God is not our servant, waiting for our requests so he can hop to it. Many times we ask and God says no, which is a perfectly legitimate answer. Some people give up on their faith because they have prayed for something or someone and it didn’t come to pass. This is a very immature way to look at faith. We can’t manipulate God by prayer. This is role reversal – God should be telling us what to do, not us telling God.
If God knows our needs, and gives us every good thing, why do we need to be persistent and consistent in prayer? It is for our own good. The more we pray the closer we get to God. It is not about badgering God to get what we want, but developing that personal relationship with God. The more we pray, the closer we get to God, until the bond between us and God is so strong that no one or no thing can break that bond. Prayer brings us into right relationship with God so that we want for ourselves what God wants for us. Our prayer changes from making requests to asking God to guide and direct us. We realize that God knows what’s best for us, so we try to determine God’s will for us in our lives. That’s why reading scripture and understanding what the Church teaches is so important; that’s where we discern God’s will for us in our lives.
We can’t be disciples until we know what Jesus taught. We don’t need to be scholars, but we need to know what he taught in general. We also look to the church for instruction and information about Jesus teachings so we don’t misinterpret scripture. Our tradition speaks volumes to us about God’s will for us. We believe that the Spirit guides and directs the church in such a way as to avoid error. This guidance is passed onto us for our own spiritual welfare.
Prayer also opens us up to the movement of the Spirit in our lives. It’s not enough to know things about Jesus; we need to know Jesus through a personal experience of the risen Christ. Last weekend, our teenagers who are preparing for their confirmation later this month, went on an Antioch retreat. All their lives they have been taught things about Jesus; this was an opportunity to get to know Jesus personally. Hopefully, many of them were moved by the Spirit. When we open ourselves to the movement of the Spirit, the Lord will eventually touch our hearts and change us in a drastic way. Prayer is one of the best ways to invite the Spirit into our lives. When this happens, faith makes sense. Not in a way we can put into words, but in a way we understand in our hearts. We believe not because of something that was taught to us, but because God imprinted his love in our hearts. Our belief is not intellectual, but spiritual.
Prayer also helps us maintain our relationship with God. Like any relationship, it needs work. The more we work on it, the stronger it becomes, and the less we work on it the weaker it becomes. All you married couples know that. How many marriages have fallen apart from disuse? How many people have gone away from faith and the church because of lack of prayer?
Prayer also sustains us in difficult times. I know that whatever happens to me that God loves me and His Son paid the price for my redemption. No one can take this hope or this salvation from me. I can lay my troubles at God’s feet and I know that His grace will be there to sustain me. Prayer teaches me that nothing comes close in importance to salvation. There is great hope and peace in that.
I also think that communal prayer is important. There is hardly a better way to receive support than from praying with others, especially at Mass. Since the Eucharist is the foretaste and promise of the paschal feast of heaven, what better way to feel God’s presence or to be touched by God’s presence than in the proclamation of the Word and in receiving the body and blood of Our Lord at Mass?
Second Reading 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Beloved:
Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,
because you know from whom you learned it,
and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,
which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
The Word of the Lord
Reflection
We don’t normally take much heed of the second reading at Mass, because for us the Gospel is the main reading. Sometimes we tie the first reading in with the gospel, because they are picked to have similar themes, but not so with the second reading. In the second reading, a New Testament book is selected, and most of the book is read sequentially. For example, we started with the First Book of Timothy on September 12th and we read until September 26th. On October 3rd we began with Second Timothy until October 24th. Part of today’s selection is a commission given by St. Paul to all disciples of Jesus and to all who read this letter. He tells us to do three things: 1) To proclaim the Gospel. Proclaiming is more than reading; it is living the gospel. We need to learn from scripture and our tradition what Jesus teaches us, put that into practice in our lives, and witness with our words and actions to all the people we meet; 2) To be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient. It is easy to be a disciple when we are among other believers. What about when we are with unbelievers, or those who actively work against the church? Are we brave enough to stand up for what we believe? Or how about something easier: when we are out of town, do you look for a church for Sunday Mass, or do you make excuses for not attending? I can guarantee you that if you look for a church you will find one; 3) Convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. We convince others more with our actions than with our words. When we show others that we live the gospel message, that it means something to us, and that it makes a difference in our lives, than we have the credibility to convince others to believe. If we aren’t committed, why should others believe our words? When someone is doing something wrong, a reprimand is in order. We witness by not putting others down, but by gently pointing out that Jesus teaches something different, and maybe they should consider that course of action. We never tell people what to do, just make suggestions. Encouragement is absolutely necessary, and we should be doing that consistently. We need to encourage one another so we can all grow in our faith.
Fr. Phil
TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
October 17, 2010
Gospel Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, "There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'"
The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
The passage immediately preceding our gospel today tells us about Jesus second coming and what will happen at that time. Specifically, it talks about being prepared because we don’t know the day or time that Jesus will return. We need to be vigilant and prepared for this day that will bring judgment on all people.
The way to be prepared is to be persistent and consistent in prayer. In this parable, the judge gives into the woman’s request because she is persistent. If an unjust judge gives in because of persistence, how much more will God give us when we ask?
However, God is not the divine gift giver. God is not our servant, waiting for our requests so he can hop to it. Many times we ask and God says no, which is a perfectly legitimate answer. Some people give up on their faith because they have prayed for something or someone and it didn’t come to pass. This is a very immature way to look at faith. We can’t manipulate God by prayer. This is role reversal – God should be telling us what to do, not us telling God.
If God knows our needs, and gives us every good thing, why do we need to be persistent and consistent in prayer? It is for our own good. The more we pray the closer we get to God. It is not about badgering God to get what we want, but developing that personal relationship with God. The more we pray, the closer we get to God, until the bond between us and God is so strong that no one or no thing can break that bond. Prayer brings us into right relationship with God so that we want for ourselves what God wants for us. Our prayer changes from making requests to asking God to guide and direct us. We realize that God knows what’s best for us, so we try to determine God’s will for us in our lives. That’s why reading scripture and understanding what the Church teaches is so important; that’s where we discern God’s will for us in our lives.
We can’t be disciples until we know what Jesus taught. We don’t need to be scholars, but we need to know what he taught in general. We also look to the church for instruction and information about Jesus teachings so we don’t misinterpret scripture. Our tradition speaks volumes to us about God’s will for us. We believe that the Spirit guides and directs the church in such a way as to avoid error. This guidance is passed onto us for our own spiritual welfare.
Prayer also opens us up to the movement of the Spirit in our lives. It’s not enough to know things about Jesus; we need to know Jesus through a personal experience of the risen Christ. Last weekend, our teenagers who are preparing for their confirmation later this month, went on an Antioch retreat. All their lives they have been taught things about Jesus; this was an opportunity to get to know Jesus personally. Hopefully, many of them were moved by the Spirit. When we open ourselves to the movement of the Spirit, the Lord will eventually touch our hearts and change us in a drastic way. Prayer is one of the best ways to invite the Spirit into our lives. When this happens, faith makes sense. Not in a way we can put into words, but in a way we understand in our hearts. We believe not because of something that was taught to us, but because God imprinted his love in our hearts. Our belief is not intellectual, but spiritual.
Prayer also helps us maintain our relationship with God. Like any relationship, it needs work. The more we work on it, the stronger it becomes, and the less we work on it the weaker it becomes. All you married couples know that. How many marriages have fallen apart from disuse? How many people have gone away from faith and the church because of lack of prayer?
Prayer also sustains us in difficult times. I know that whatever happens to me that God loves me and His Son paid the price for my redemption. No one can take this hope or this salvation from me. I can lay my troubles at God’s feet and I know that His grace will be there to sustain me. Prayer teaches me that nothing comes close in importance to salvation. There is great hope and peace in that.
I also think that communal prayer is important. There is hardly a better way to receive support than from praying with others, especially at Mass. Since the Eucharist is the foretaste and promise of the paschal feast of heaven, what better way to feel God’s presence or to be touched by God’s presence than in the proclamation of the Word and in receiving the body and blood of Our Lord at Mass?
Second Reading 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Beloved:
Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,
because you know from whom you learned it,
and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,
which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
The Word of the Lord
Reflection
We don’t normally take much heed of the second reading at Mass, because for us the Gospel is the main reading. Sometimes we tie the first reading in with the gospel, because they are picked to have similar themes, but not so with the second reading. In the second reading, a New Testament book is selected, and most of the book is read sequentially. For example, we started with the First Book of Timothy on September 12th and we read until September 26th. On October 3rd we began with Second Timothy until October 24th. Part of today’s selection is a commission given by St. Paul to all disciples of Jesus and to all who read this letter. He tells us to do three things: 1) To proclaim the Gospel. Proclaiming is more than reading; it is living the gospel. We need to learn from scripture and our tradition what Jesus teaches us, put that into practice in our lives, and witness with our words and actions to all the people we meet; 2) To be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient. It is easy to be a disciple when we are among other believers. What about when we are with unbelievers, or those who actively work against the church? Are we brave enough to stand up for what we believe? Or how about something easier: when we are out of town, do you look for a church for Sunday Mass, or do you make excuses for not attending? I can guarantee you that if you look for a church you will find one; 3) Convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. We convince others more with our actions than with our words. When we show others that we live the gospel message, that it means something to us, and that it makes a difference in our lives, than we have the credibility to convince others to believe. If we aren’t committed, why should others believe our words? When someone is doing something wrong, a reprimand is in order. We witness by not putting others down, but by gently pointing out that Jesus teaches something different, and maybe they should consider that course of action. We never tell people what to do, just make suggestions. Encouragement is absolutely necessary, and we should be doing that consistently. We need to encourage one another so we can all grow in our faith.
Fr. Phil
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
BIBLE STUDY # 15
TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
October 10, 2010
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"
And when he saw them, he said,
"Go show yourselves to the priests."
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you."
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem (the journey theme will become more prevalent as the gospel continues), we have been hearing about social questions that confront the early Christian community in Luke’s Gospel such as the proper use of money, forgiveness, and divorce, to name a few. The next few chapters will focus on historical questions, such as the unfolding of salvation history and how the gospel differs from human expectations.
This gospel appears only in Luke and is another instance where Jesus holds up a non-Jew as an example to others (see the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10).
Jesus and his contingent are traveling through Samaria on their way to Jerusalem when ten lepers stop them. In those days, lepers would have been totally shunned by society. They were outcasts in the largest sense of that term: they were not allowed around other people, either in houses, or in towns, or in synagogues, or anywhere people gathered, for fear of infection. They were driven out in the wilderness to fare as best as they could; a very harsh, and I suspect, a very short existence. This was done for the preservation and protection of the society and not to be cruel in any way. With no medicine or any effective way of treating this disease, what else could be done?
The gospel states that they ‘stood at a distance’ when they called out to him, as would have been necessary in that society. How did the lepers know about him? Luke is telling us that Jesus was so popular even outcasts heard of him.
They go to Jesus, calling him master, acknowledging his power and authority. Imagine the excitement of seeing him, of hoping that their nightmare of suffering may finally be over. He is their one and only hope of rejoining society and having normal life. Can you imagine the pleading in their voices and the hope in their hearts?
Their healing is almost anticlimactic. It seems to be downplayed because all Jesus says to them is to go show yourself to the priests and on their way to them they were healed. After showing themselves to the priests, they would have been declared clean and able to rejoin society.
It’s hard to over exaggerate the affect of this healing in their lives. This healing would have affected them in several ways; 1) it would have relieved them of any physical pain associated with this disease; 2) they would be able to go back to their families (imagine what a happy reunion that would be!); 3) they would be able to work, support their families and lead a normal life; and 4) they would be able to worship in the Synagogue and in the Temple.
It’s hard to imagine why 9 people didn’t come back to thank Jesus. I can see if 8 or 9 came back in gratitude, because there is always 1 or 2 in the crowd who would be like that. But 9? Is that a commentary on how ungrateful most people are?
Do we forget to say ‘thank you’ to people? Do we show appreciation when some one does something for us, goes out of their way, or extends themselves in a generous way? Or do we think that we somehow deserve these things and therefore we don’t have to be grateful?
The one who came back to Jesus in gratitude was a Samaritan, an enemy of the Jews. It is ironic that some Jewish people, like most of their leadership, rejected Jesus, while a Samaritan, an outcast from the temple, shows by his example how to attain salvation.
It seems that healing is a prerequisite for salvation. Not physical healing, because we will all get sick and die (after all, death is the ultimate healer), but spiritual healing. Illnesses and injuries were seen at that time as punishment from God for sins. So, if Jesus heals the body, he also heals the soul through the forgiveness of sins.
Healing isn’t the only requirement for salvation, but the person healed must respond in faith. Anyone, without exception, can be healed, but healing does not guarantee salvation. It is just a beginning. The one leper who returned signifies more than gratefulness, but a willingness to be a person of faith and take on the required responsibilities of that faith. That’s why Jesus says that his faith has saved him. He was healed, he gratefully came back glorifying God and thanking Jesus, which indicates his faith, and this faith saved him.
It also indicates Jesus desire for universal salvation, his wish that all people be saved. We believe that Jesus died for everyone’s’ sins. Every one can be saved; it’s not limited to one group of people. When we limit salvation we are usurping God’s prerogative; how do we know that state of another’s soul or how God looks upon other people? How can we be so judgmental?
Let me give you an example. What religion was our patron here in Lincoln Park? He was Jewish. It seems that he died sometime before Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. Yet, we call him St. Joseph. He is also the patron of the universal Church. God’s ways are mysterious and unknown. I hope and pray that all people can be saved. I don’t think that we should spend a lot of time thinking about another’s salvation; we should focus our attention on our own salvation, and we would all be a lot better off. As people of faith, we also have the extra-added benefit of living according to God’s word, which should make all the difference in the peace and happiness of our lives.
It also tells us that all people are welcome in our church. We never turn anyone away. I always tell our ministers of holy communion that we assume that anyone who presents themselves for communion is properly disposed to receive communion. How do we tell if someone is properly disposed or not? The answer is we can’t. If someone comes to receive who is not properly disposed, they have to answer to God for that. If I refuse someone who is properly disposed, I have to answer to God for that. I say that we should give communion and let God sort it all out.
Our catholic churches have large enough numbers that all can feel welcome without feeling conspicuous. In other words, there is room for everyone. One symbol of this welcoming nature is the placement of the baptismal font. In one of my previous assignments the font was in the vestibule, near the front door. This says to me, “Stay out until you are baptized.” In another church, the font is in front of the church. They actually took out half of the first three pews on the right side to make a baptismal area. This says to me, “All are welcome, but before you receive communion, be a part of us.” That, to me, is very welcoming. In St. Joseph’s, the font is in the middle, which basically is welcoming and saying the same thing.
More importantly, though, the people here are welcoming; I hear this all the time from visitors. At a baptism, I told a woman that if she liked it so much, she should come here regularly. She said it was a bit of a commute for her, since she lives near Niagara Falls.
I think being friendly and welcoming of every one is a sign of God’s love. There are few better ways to enhance the quality of worship than to be a welcoming parish.
Jesus does so much for us and he asks so little in return. Through his death and resurrection, he pays the price for our sins, opens up the way to heaven, and gives us peace and happiness in this life. What does he ask of us? Faith. He asks us to live by his teachings, and do our best to spread faith.
He doesn’t ask us to do anything beyond our capabilities or our capacity. He asks us to offer whatever we can, and he in turn will transform our gifts into something spectacular.
Before we spread our faith, we need to acquire it first. We are all like the leper in a way because we are all sinners. Just as the leper couldn’t cure himself, we can’t atone for our sins. Without forgiveness, our soul begins to rot away and there is nothing we can do about it. With the healing power of forgiveness, we can begin to grow in our faith. We need to turn away from our sins and bask in his healing love.
We need to keep asking for forgiveness because our faith is a relationship with Jesus, and like in all relationships, we make mistakes and fail. The more we turn to Jesus when we fail, the closer we become, the more our faith grows, and the more we have to share with each other.
As a stewardship parish we should all be familiar with the concept of gratefulness because being a good steward encompasses Psalm 116: “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me?” So I ask all of you: Are you good stewards?
Fr. Phil
TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
October 10, 2010
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"
And when he saw them, he said,
"Go show yourselves to the priests."
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you."
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem (the journey theme will become more prevalent as the gospel continues), we have been hearing about social questions that confront the early Christian community in Luke’s Gospel such as the proper use of money, forgiveness, and divorce, to name a few. The next few chapters will focus on historical questions, such as the unfolding of salvation history and how the gospel differs from human expectations.
This gospel appears only in Luke and is another instance where Jesus holds up a non-Jew as an example to others (see the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10).
Jesus and his contingent are traveling through Samaria on their way to Jerusalem when ten lepers stop them. In those days, lepers would have been totally shunned by society. They were outcasts in the largest sense of that term: they were not allowed around other people, either in houses, or in towns, or in synagogues, or anywhere people gathered, for fear of infection. They were driven out in the wilderness to fare as best as they could; a very harsh, and I suspect, a very short existence. This was done for the preservation and protection of the society and not to be cruel in any way. With no medicine or any effective way of treating this disease, what else could be done?
The gospel states that they ‘stood at a distance’ when they called out to him, as would have been necessary in that society. How did the lepers know about him? Luke is telling us that Jesus was so popular even outcasts heard of him.
They go to Jesus, calling him master, acknowledging his power and authority. Imagine the excitement of seeing him, of hoping that their nightmare of suffering may finally be over. He is their one and only hope of rejoining society and having normal life. Can you imagine the pleading in their voices and the hope in their hearts?
Their healing is almost anticlimactic. It seems to be downplayed because all Jesus says to them is to go show yourself to the priests and on their way to them they were healed. After showing themselves to the priests, they would have been declared clean and able to rejoin society.
It’s hard to over exaggerate the affect of this healing in their lives. This healing would have affected them in several ways; 1) it would have relieved them of any physical pain associated with this disease; 2) they would be able to go back to their families (imagine what a happy reunion that would be!); 3) they would be able to work, support their families and lead a normal life; and 4) they would be able to worship in the Synagogue and in the Temple.
It’s hard to imagine why 9 people didn’t come back to thank Jesus. I can see if 8 or 9 came back in gratitude, because there is always 1 or 2 in the crowd who would be like that. But 9? Is that a commentary on how ungrateful most people are?
Do we forget to say ‘thank you’ to people? Do we show appreciation when some one does something for us, goes out of their way, or extends themselves in a generous way? Or do we think that we somehow deserve these things and therefore we don’t have to be grateful?
The one who came back to Jesus in gratitude was a Samaritan, an enemy of the Jews. It is ironic that some Jewish people, like most of their leadership, rejected Jesus, while a Samaritan, an outcast from the temple, shows by his example how to attain salvation.
It seems that healing is a prerequisite for salvation. Not physical healing, because we will all get sick and die (after all, death is the ultimate healer), but spiritual healing. Illnesses and injuries were seen at that time as punishment from God for sins. So, if Jesus heals the body, he also heals the soul through the forgiveness of sins.
Healing isn’t the only requirement for salvation, but the person healed must respond in faith. Anyone, without exception, can be healed, but healing does not guarantee salvation. It is just a beginning. The one leper who returned signifies more than gratefulness, but a willingness to be a person of faith and take on the required responsibilities of that faith. That’s why Jesus says that his faith has saved him. He was healed, he gratefully came back glorifying God and thanking Jesus, which indicates his faith, and this faith saved him.
It also indicates Jesus desire for universal salvation, his wish that all people be saved. We believe that Jesus died for everyone’s’ sins. Every one can be saved; it’s not limited to one group of people. When we limit salvation we are usurping God’s prerogative; how do we know that state of another’s soul or how God looks upon other people? How can we be so judgmental?
Let me give you an example. What religion was our patron here in Lincoln Park? He was Jewish. It seems that he died sometime before Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. Yet, we call him St. Joseph. He is also the patron of the universal Church. God’s ways are mysterious and unknown. I hope and pray that all people can be saved. I don’t think that we should spend a lot of time thinking about another’s salvation; we should focus our attention on our own salvation, and we would all be a lot better off. As people of faith, we also have the extra-added benefit of living according to God’s word, which should make all the difference in the peace and happiness of our lives.
It also tells us that all people are welcome in our church. We never turn anyone away. I always tell our ministers of holy communion that we assume that anyone who presents themselves for communion is properly disposed to receive communion. How do we tell if someone is properly disposed or not? The answer is we can’t. If someone comes to receive who is not properly disposed, they have to answer to God for that. If I refuse someone who is properly disposed, I have to answer to God for that. I say that we should give communion and let God sort it all out.
Our catholic churches have large enough numbers that all can feel welcome without feeling conspicuous. In other words, there is room for everyone. One symbol of this welcoming nature is the placement of the baptismal font. In one of my previous assignments the font was in the vestibule, near the front door. This says to me, “Stay out until you are baptized.” In another church, the font is in front of the church. They actually took out half of the first three pews on the right side to make a baptismal area. This says to me, “All are welcome, but before you receive communion, be a part of us.” That, to me, is very welcoming. In St. Joseph’s, the font is in the middle, which basically is welcoming and saying the same thing.
More importantly, though, the people here are welcoming; I hear this all the time from visitors. At a baptism, I told a woman that if she liked it so much, she should come here regularly. She said it was a bit of a commute for her, since she lives near Niagara Falls.
I think being friendly and welcoming of every one is a sign of God’s love. There are few better ways to enhance the quality of worship than to be a welcoming parish.
Jesus does so much for us and he asks so little in return. Through his death and resurrection, he pays the price for our sins, opens up the way to heaven, and gives us peace and happiness in this life. What does he ask of us? Faith. He asks us to live by his teachings, and do our best to spread faith.
He doesn’t ask us to do anything beyond our capabilities or our capacity. He asks us to offer whatever we can, and he in turn will transform our gifts into something spectacular.
Before we spread our faith, we need to acquire it first. We are all like the leper in a way because we are all sinners. Just as the leper couldn’t cure himself, we can’t atone for our sins. Without forgiveness, our soul begins to rot away and there is nothing we can do about it. With the healing power of forgiveness, we can begin to grow in our faith. We need to turn away from our sins and bask in his healing love.
We need to keep asking for forgiveness because our faith is a relationship with Jesus, and like in all relationships, we make mistakes and fail. The more we turn to Jesus when we fail, the closer we become, the more our faith grows, and the more we have to share with each other.
As a stewardship parish we should all be familiar with the concept of gratefulness because being a good steward encompasses Psalm 116: “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me?” So I ask all of you: Are you good stewards?
Fr. Phil
Saturday, October 2, 2010
ST. JOSEPH PARISH
EMAIL NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2010
WHAT IS A SACRAMENT? Since we are exploring sacraments in greater detail in our WhyCatholic? Program, I thought I would write a little about the definition of a sacrament. Some of you reading this newsletter will be of a certain age to remember the Baltimore Catechism. We first learned our religion with this catechism, which was a series of questions and answers that we memorized. There were some very good definitions in this book, including the one for a sacrament. According to this catechism, a sacrament is an ‘outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.’ What is a sign? A sign is something that points to a greater reality. A good example is the American flag. Our flag is more than a stars and stripes, but is a reflection and a reminder of all we stand for and have fought for. Volumes could be written about the flag. We believe that God’s grace is mediated to us through the things of the world, just as the flag, made out of things of the earth, mediates faith in our country to us. Each sacrament has an outward sign: water for baptism, bread and wine for mass, oil for the anointing of the sick, and so on. Even after it is consecrated, the bread still looks like bread, tastes like bread, fells like bread, but is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The bread and wine both point to, and actually are, what they symbolize. What is ‘instituted by Christ?’ Sacraments are what God wants for us to guide us on our way, to strengthen us, to encourage us, to forgive us, so we can live a peaceful, faith filled life now, and be with him forever. Although it may be difficult to trace all 7 sacraments specifically to the gospels and to an intent by Jesus to authorize them, we feel that the Holy Spirit guides and nourishes the church, and through that, we learn what God wants for us. What is ‘to give grace?’ The purpose of all sacraments is to give grace, that is, to put us in touch with the living and loving God. You may remember a time(s) when you went to confession, or attended mass, for example, when God touched your heart and moved you in some way. That is God’s grace mediated through the sacrament. If you would like to learn more, I suggest you join a WhyCatholic? Group.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE. Do you like to help others? Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life? The Christian Service Committee is looking for a few new faces! Our main projects throughout the year include the CROP Walk, Thanksgiving Baskets, Nursing Home holiday gifts, and the Giving Tree Christmas gift collection. We meet about 10 times a year, with fall being the busiest time of the year. We’d love to have you join our group! If interested, please contact Lois Moeller at 973-696-4049. Share the good feeling of fulfillment we experience! The next committee meeting will be Monday, October 18th at 7:30 pm in room 10. All are invited and very much welcome to join us.
STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE. There are a lot of stresses on marriage and it’s difficult to maintain a good marriage because people are so busy. It seems like we barely have time to do everything we need to do. So, doing something to bolster your marriage seems too time consuming, even if it is valuable and necessary. There is something easy you can do – pray together, if only for a few minutes a day. Ask for God’s blessing on your marriage and to reveal His will for you in your life and in your marriage. Prayer helps us put things in perspective and reminds us that God will be with us that day, no matter what happens. Whatever God brings us to, he will get us through. I would also suggest a website, foryourmarriage.org. There are articles about dating, the empty nest, church teachings, careers, and many more marriage issues. There is also a newsletter you can subscribe to. It is a good site that can help strengthen your marriage.
MARRIAGE PRAYER
(Adapted from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, p. 260):
Almighty and eternal God,
you have so exalted the unbreakable bond of marriage
that it has become the sacramental sign
of your Son’s union with the Church as his spouse.
Look with favor on us
whom you have united in marriage,
as we ask for your help
and the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We pray that in good times and in bad
we will grow in love for each other;
that we will resolve to be of one heart
in the bond of peace.
Lord, in our struggles let us rejoice
that you are near to help us;
in our needs let us know
that you are there to rescue us;
in our joys let us see
that you are the source and completion of every happiness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
STRAIGHT AND NARROW. We are very happy to welcome the Gospel Choir from Straight and Narrow to our 12 noon Mass on Sunday, October 10th. They are terrific singers as well as wonderful and faith filled people struggling with addiction. I hope you can join us for Mass and lunch afterwards in Halloran Hall where you will get a chance to talk with the choir. We will be doing a second collection to assist them, so if you can’t be there and would like to help, you can either donate money or toiletries. We are looking for shampoo, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and body wash. Due to the high alcohol content, please do not include mouthwash or aftershave.
THREE TREES. Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.'
Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.'
Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.'
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter’, and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one,' and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree.
The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said 'Peace' and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
May your day be blessed. And until we meet again, may God cradle you in the palm of His hand.
WOMEN’S CORNERSTONE RETREAT 2010. Cornerstone is a friendly gathering of women who participate in a renewal process to deepen their faith and relationship with God. The team is made up of women who have experienced Cornerstone on the past. Both team members and candidates come from Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Joseph’s Churches. Team members will share their faith through talks and will assist with liturgy, decorations, meals, etc. The retreat begins on Friday, November 12th at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pompton Plains and ends Saturday, November 13th following a 6:30 pm Mass and reception. During the weekend, there will be an opportunity for sharing, time for reflection and prayer, as well as small group discussions. No one is forced to participate, but it is requested that you remain open to the Holy Spirit as you experience the program. Comments from women about Cornerstone: “It reminded me of the power of women. Sharing with other women was a wonderful experience. Brought me to a spiritual place that has been missing in my life. This experience reminded me to use the gifts that God gave me to help others. Reminded me that I don’t have to be in control – God is in control. Gave me some peace.” Cornerstone applications will be in the vestibule of Church. Please register before October 31st because only 24 women can be accommodated. If there are any questions, call Jeannine Missbrenner @ 973-835-0508, Jackie Hahn @ 973-248-1884, Gerri Westdyk @ 973-839-2140, or Bonnie Ann McLain @ 973-628-1367. Dress is casual. The atmosphere is prayerful and relaxed and the camaraderie is wonderful. All women are invited to experience a weekend of sharing and community with other women. This is an extraordinary opportunity to discover the bounty of God’s gifts for you!
CROP WALK. The Crop Walk will be held on October 24th beginning with registration in Halloran Hall 1:30 pm and then a 3 mile walk (approximately) around town. Most of the Churches (Catholic and Protestant) from Boonton to Lincoln Park to Kinnelon participate. This walk has been around over 20 years and has raised over $250,000.00 in that time to assist in feeding the hungry. I certainly plan to participate. We will need walkers, sponsors, and bakers. More information to follow in the bulletin.
DAILY FORGIVENESS. I once visited on online greeting card website to send an electronic anniversary card to some friends. As I was glancing through the website's menu of choices, I noticed they had a separate category of cards devoted to "Forgiveness." Most of these cards were humorous ones intended to be used for relatively minor hurts. "Forget about it," "Don't worry about it" were the sentiments of two cards. Another expressed forgiveness by saying, “Everybody is a work in progress."
Curiously, forgiveness cards were categorized right along with birthday and get well cards. That is, they were what could be called "occasional cards." You don't send a "Get Well" card just any old time, but occasionally you need such a sentiment and that's when you purchase and send just such a card. So also you may not need a forgiveness card very often, but once in a while such a thing may be handy.
Seen this way, forgiveness becomes a "now and then" matter. But it is precisely such an understanding of forgiveness that the New Testament calls us to resist. Forgiveness is an ongoing necessity, and so the church will never be done with needing it. Maybe that is why in that most famous of all prayers, the Lord's Prayer, Jesus puts the need to forgive hard on the heels of the request for daily bread. Have you ever thought of that? The request for bread and the plea for
forgiveness are yoked with the word "and." "Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others." You say these two petitions in the same breath. Why is that important? Because perhaps it is Jesus' way of telling us that there is a connection between daily bread and forgiveness--we need both every day
Scott Hoezee, Comments and Observations
FINANCES. Last Sunday I spoke at all the masses during the time for the homily about our finances. I thought I would include something in this edition of the newsletter for those who weren’t at Mass last weekend.
We are doing well financially. Our bills are paid, we made about $29,000 more than we spent, and we have money in the bank. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. I am glad that all of you are good stewards with your time, talent, and treasure.
We are the only parish I am aware of that does no second collections for themselves. All our second collections go outside the parish. I know of one parish that has 2 collections every weekend, and of another that sometimes has 3 envelopes on a weekend. I know of other parishes that have to do lots of fundraising just to pay their bills. Thank God we don’t need to do any of that.
If you like the way things are going financially, and if you like the fact that I only talk about money once a year, then I ask you to consider increasing your contributions to St. Joseph’s. Seems strange that I am asking for an increase, but I am a little concerned because our collections have been down consistently since the summer started. We are down almost $4,000.00 in the last quarter (7/1-9/30). There are many reasons for that, including people who have moved away, people who have died, unemployment, underemployment, not coming to mass every week and not making up the money, to mention a few.
I don’t want to bring in the tithing company we had a few years ago, or start second collections, or do any more fundraisers, because I know you understand the treasure part of stewardship (we should be able to survive financially on one weekly collection) and because you always respond to a need when asked to do so. As I was writing this, I stopped and increased my own donation to St. Joseph’s using ParishPay, as I promised in my homily. I won’t tell you the amount, because that’s not important. Nor am I going to ask you for a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage contribution, because that’s not important.
What is important is that you prayerfully consider increasing the amount you contribute and to make up for the weeks you aren’t here for Mass. If you can’t afford it, don’t increase the amount you contribute. I don’t want it if you can’t afford it. However, if you can, I would greatly appreciate the extra donations. I say all this because I don’t want to wait until our finances are in a critical stage before I do anything about it.
I sincerely hope that this is the last time I need to ask for money. Again, thank you for your generosity; I am very grateful to all of you for all you do to make this parish the best ever!
May God bless you abundantly.
Fr. Phil
EMAIL NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2010
WHAT IS A SACRAMENT? Since we are exploring sacraments in greater detail in our WhyCatholic? Program, I thought I would write a little about the definition of a sacrament. Some of you reading this newsletter will be of a certain age to remember the Baltimore Catechism. We first learned our religion with this catechism, which was a series of questions and answers that we memorized. There were some very good definitions in this book, including the one for a sacrament. According to this catechism, a sacrament is an ‘outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.’ What is a sign? A sign is something that points to a greater reality. A good example is the American flag. Our flag is more than a stars and stripes, but is a reflection and a reminder of all we stand for and have fought for. Volumes could be written about the flag. We believe that God’s grace is mediated to us through the things of the world, just as the flag, made out of things of the earth, mediates faith in our country to us. Each sacrament has an outward sign: water for baptism, bread and wine for mass, oil for the anointing of the sick, and so on. Even after it is consecrated, the bread still looks like bread, tastes like bread, fells like bread, but is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The bread and wine both point to, and actually are, what they symbolize. What is ‘instituted by Christ?’ Sacraments are what God wants for us to guide us on our way, to strengthen us, to encourage us, to forgive us, so we can live a peaceful, faith filled life now, and be with him forever. Although it may be difficult to trace all 7 sacraments specifically to the gospels and to an intent by Jesus to authorize them, we feel that the Holy Spirit guides and nourishes the church, and through that, we learn what God wants for us. What is ‘to give grace?’ The purpose of all sacraments is to give grace, that is, to put us in touch with the living and loving God. You may remember a time(s) when you went to confession, or attended mass, for example, when God touched your heart and moved you in some way. That is God’s grace mediated through the sacrament. If you would like to learn more, I suggest you join a WhyCatholic? Group.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE. Do you like to help others? Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life? The Christian Service Committee is looking for a few new faces! Our main projects throughout the year include the CROP Walk, Thanksgiving Baskets, Nursing Home holiday gifts, and the Giving Tree Christmas gift collection. We meet about 10 times a year, with fall being the busiest time of the year. We’d love to have you join our group! If interested, please contact Lois Moeller at 973-696-4049. Share the good feeling of fulfillment we experience! The next committee meeting will be Monday, October 18th at 7:30 pm in room 10. All are invited and very much welcome to join us.
STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE. There are a lot of stresses on marriage and it’s difficult to maintain a good marriage because people are so busy. It seems like we barely have time to do everything we need to do. So, doing something to bolster your marriage seems too time consuming, even if it is valuable and necessary. There is something easy you can do – pray together, if only for a few minutes a day. Ask for God’s blessing on your marriage and to reveal His will for you in your life and in your marriage. Prayer helps us put things in perspective and reminds us that God will be with us that day, no matter what happens. Whatever God brings us to, he will get us through. I would also suggest a website, foryourmarriage.org. There are articles about dating, the empty nest, church teachings, careers, and many more marriage issues. There is also a newsletter you can subscribe to. It is a good site that can help strengthen your marriage.
MARRIAGE PRAYER
(Adapted from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, p. 260):
Almighty and eternal God,
you have so exalted the unbreakable bond of marriage
that it has become the sacramental sign
of your Son’s union with the Church as his spouse.
Look with favor on us
whom you have united in marriage,
as we ask for your help
and the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We pray that in good times and in bad
we will grow in love for each other;
that we will resolve to be of one heart
in the bond of peace.
Lord, in our struggles let us rejoice
that you are near to help us;
in our needs let us know
that you are there to rescue us;
in our joys let us see
that you are the source and completion of every happiness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
STRAIGHT AND NARROW. We are very happy to welcome the Gospel Choir from Straight and Narrow to our 12 noon Mass on Sunday, October 10th. They are terrific singers as well as wonderful and faith filled people struggling with addiction. I hope you can join us for Mass and lunch afterwards in Halloran Hall where you will get a chance to talk with the choir. We will be doing a second collection to assist them, so if you can’t be there and would like to help, you can either donate money or toiletries. We are looking for shampoo, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and body wash. Due to the high alcohol content, please do not include mouthwash or aftershave.
THREE TREES. Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.'
Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.'
Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.'
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter’, and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one,' and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree.
The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said 'Peace' and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
May your day be blessed. And until we meet again, may God cradle you in the palm of His hand.
WOMEN’S CORNERSTONE RETREAT 2010. Cornerstone is a friendly gathering of women who participate in a renewal process to deepen their faith and relationship with God. The team is made up of women who have experienced Cornerstone on the past. Both team members and candidates come from Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Joseph’s Churches. Team members will share their faith through talks and will assist with liturgy, decorations, meals, etc. The retreat begins on Friday, November 12th at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pompton Plains and ends Saturday, November 13th following a 6:30 pm Mass and reception. During the weekend, there will be an opportunity for sharing, time for reflection and prayer, as well as small group discussions. No one is forced to participate, but it is requested that you remain open to the Holy Spirit as you experience the program. Comments from women about Cornerstone: “It reminded me of the power of women. Sharing with other women was a wonderful experience. Brought me to a spiritual place that has been missing in my life. This experience reminded me to use the gifts that God gave me to help others. Reminded me that I don’t have to be in control – God is in control. Gave me some peace.” Cornerstone applications will be in the vestibule of Church. Please register before October 31st because only 24 women can be accommodated. If there are any questions, call Jeannine Missbrenner @ 973-835-0508, Jackie Hahn @ 973-248-1884, Gerri Westdyk @ 973-839-2140, or Bonnie Ann McLain @ 973-628-1367. Dress is casual. The atmosphere is prayerful and relaxed and the camaraderie is wonderful. All women are invited to experience a weekend of sharing and community with other women. This is an extraordinary opportunity to discover the bounty of God’s gifts for you!
CROP WALK. The Crop Walk will be held on October 24th beginning with registration in Halloran Hall 1:30 pm and then a 3 mile walk (approximately) around town. Most of the Churches (Catholic and Protestant) from Boonton to Lincoln Park to Kinnelon participate. This walk has been around over 20 years and has raised over $250,000.00 in that time to assist in feeding the hungry. I certainly plan to participate. We will need walkers, sponsors, and bakers. More information to follow in the bulletin.
DAILY FORGIVENESS. I once visited on online greeting card website to send an electronic anniversary card to some friends. As I was glancing through the website's menu of choices, I noticed they had a separate category of cards devoted to "Forgiveness." Most of these cards were humorous ones intended to be used for relatively minor hurts. "Forget about it," "Don't worry about it" were the sentiments of two cards. Another expressed forgiveness by saying, “Everybody is a work in progress."
Curiously, forgiveness cards were categorized right along with birthday and get well cards. That is, they were what could be called "occasional cards." You don't send a "Get Well" card just any old time, but occasionally you need such a sentiment and that's when you purchase and send just such a card. So also you may not need a forgiveness card very often, but once in a while such a thing may be handy.
Seen this way, forgiveness becomes a "now and then" matter. But it is precisely such an understanding of forgiveness that the New Testament calls us to resist. Forgiveness is an ongoing necessity, and so the church will never be done with needing it. Maybe that is why in that most famous of all prayers, the Lord's Prayer, Jesus puts the need to forgive hard on the heels of the request for daily bread. Have you ever thought of that? The request for bread and the plea for
forgiveness are yoked with the word "and." "Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others." You say these two petitions in the same breath. Why is that important? Because perhaps it is Jesus' way of telling us that there is a connection between daily bread and forgiveness--we need both every day
Scott Hoezee, Comments and Observations
FINANCES. Last Sunday I spoke at all the masses during the time for the homily about our finances. I thought I would include something in this edition of the newsletter for those who weren’t at Mass last weekend.
We are doing well financially. Our bills are paid, we made about $29,000 more than we spent, and we have money in the bank. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. I am glad that all of you are good stewards with your time, talent, and treasure.
We are the only parish I am aware of that does no second collections for themselves. All our second collections go outside the parish. I know of one parish that has 2 collections every weekend, and of another that sometimes has 3 envelopes on a weekend. I know of other parishes that have to do lots of fundraising just to pay their bills. Thank God we don’t need to do any of that.
If you like the way things are going financially, and if you like the fact that I only talk about money once a year, then I ask you to consider increasing your contributions to St. Joseph’s. Seems strange that I am asking for an increase, but I am a little concerned because our collections have been down consistently since the summer started. We are down almost $4,000.00 in the last quarter (7/1-9/30). There are many reasons for that, including people who have moved away, people who have died, unemployment, underemployment, not coming to mass every week and not making up the money, to mention a few.
I don’t want to bring in the tithing company we had a few years ago, or start second collections, or do any more fundraisers, because I know you understand the treasure part of stewardship (we should be able to survive financially on one weekly collection) and because you always respond to a need when asked to do so. As I was writing this, I stopped and increased my own donation to St. Joseph’s using ParishPay, as I promised in my homily. I won’t tell you the amount, because that’s not important. Nor am I going to ask you for a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage contribution, because that’s not important.
What is important is that you prayerfully consider increasing the amount you contribute and to make up for the weeks you aren’t here for Mass. If you can’t afford it, don’t increase the amount you contribute. I don’t want it if you can’t afford it. However, if you can, I would greatly appreciate the extra donations. I say all this because I don’t want to wait until our finances are in a critical stage before I do anything about it.
I sincerely hope that this is the last time I need to ask for money. Again, thank you for your generosity; I am very grateful to all of you for all you do to make this parish the best ever!
May God bless you abundantly.
Fr. Phil
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