Our Guide to Life

Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

This Presidents Day, you might enjoy reading a best-selling presidential biography like “Leadership in Turbulent Times,” by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. The book highlights the true grit of Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson.

FDR has always fascinated me, primarily because he shaped, to some extent, two defining times in American history: the Great Depression and World War II. He addressed immense challenges with vision, optimism, persistence and political savvy.

Today’s scripture readings bring us wisdom about life and leadership. The Book of Sirach advises we have to choose between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, life and death. The choices will be a path either to salvation or damnation. God ultimately leads. We pray for God's grace to do the right thing.

St. Paul, in his letter to the Christian community in Corinth, writes about true wisdom, that is, Jesus Christ. The risen Christ is the revelation of God to us. Look always to Jesus and let His life and ministry be a guide.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus describes what it means to be a disciple. Jesus employs four antitheses, opposites (“you have heard...but I say”). He emphasizes the importance of attitude over legalese. Our attitudes create our behaviors. If we have bad attitudes, we surely will behave badly.

Jesus gives examples, notably: “You have heard that it was said, you shall not murder; but I say to you: you shall not be angry.” Why? Because an attitude of anger or resentment can seethe into bad behavior. Discipleship with Jesus calls for a change of heart, a change of attitude, thinking and feeling positively, not negatively.

Jesus is our exemplar, our guide, of how to live well. Jesus challenges us to be a leader for others.

Jesus communicated purpose in ways that galvanized, energized and excited people. He generated trust which bound people together in their commitments. He inspired hope, with a clear vision of life in relationship with God forever. Jesus converted vision into action.

Matthew 23:10 advises, in so many words, that there is one messiah, one life-leader: Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to be guides and leaders in our own situations. Yes, to be called by God to influence others is an enormous privilege, but it carries with it great responsibility. We have to possess confidence and character. First and foremost, confidence in God. The psalmists had that. God was their shield, their strength, their guide. Second, the quality of our life and our soul’s destiny will be measured by our character.

Our prayer might be:
Lord, help me to live a life of integrity, authenticity, humility and focus. Help me to have a similar concern for others as Jesus had for us. Give me compassion towards those who are struggling with life's problems. Help me to fix my eyes on our true wisdom, Jesus Christ. Help us to become like Him for others: men and women of confidence and character.

Facing the Dazzling Light of Jesus Christ

Mosaic of Jesus  in Wash. DC Basilica

In Sunday's Gospel according to Luke, Jesus speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple. For Luke, the end of Jerusalem was the prelude to the end of this world. The author uses apocalyptic imagery: wars and earthquakes, famines and plagues, persecutions and betrayals. In the midst of it all, Jesus counsels us to persevere in our life/work of discipleship.

This word of God brings us toward the end of the liturgical calendar, which relives the story of our salvation. In Advent we re-experience the hope for a Messiah. We then have Christmas, the birth of the Messiah. Lent culminates in the dying and rising of Jesus at Easter, and finally, after Ordinary Time, Jesus Christ will come “in great power and glory.” Next Sunday we crown him king of the universe.

Yes, we celebrate the story that began in Genesis: “God created the heavens and the earth,” and that ends on the last page of Revelation: “Come, Lord Jesus.” God will transform this universe into a glorious kingdom in all its fullness. How, we don’t know.

But the question is not how. Rather the question is, are we ready to enter into the dazzling light of Jesus Christ, gloriously alive, when He does come to us in the mystery of our own dying.

You may have read Harold Kushner’s book Living a Life That Matters. As a clergyman, Kushner has cared for many people in their last moments. Those who had the most trouble with death were those who felt they had never done anything worthwhile.

Sunday’s word of God asks, are we ready to face Jesus Christ? What attitudes and behaviors do we have to change now? The key question is quality of life, not length of years. Ultimately, we each will have to stand before the awesome light of Jesus Christ where we will see who we really are, for better or worse.

Life is precious—and so “Be prepared” is an everyday Christian motto.

The beatitudes can be a good guide. Here’s one paraphrase: “If we strive to seek God in our everyday lives; if we spend time listening and consoling; if we heal wounds and build bridges; if others see in us goodness, joy, and serenity; if we can see the good in everyone and seek the good for everyone, blessed are you. You are the face of God in our midst.” Think of your own paraphrases of the beatitudes and live them.

The word of God invites us to be prepared now to stand in the awesome light of Jesus Christ gloriously alive. May that word of God inspire each one of us to value each day of our lives as a gift from God and to become the best version of ourselves today. Amen!

Jesus Christ Will Come Again

Michelangelo's Last Judgment in Sistine Chapel

Thursday, families will celebrate Thanksgiving: giving thanks to God for life, family and friends. Even amid the devastating wildfires in California, many first responders are stepping up to help save lives and property. We thank God for these brave men and women.

The holidays are here. Here’s my advice: hang around positive people. Surround yourself with what you love—family, pets, hobbies. Tell them that you love them. Live gratefully. Above all, focus on God everyday through prayer.

The liturgical year celebrates the story of our salvation. The cycle begins in Advent, then Christmas, on to Lent. Next, Holy Week. The Easter season concludes with the outpouring of the Spirit anew at Pentecost. The cycle continues in ordinary time. We walk with Jesus as he works signs and wonders proclaiming that the kingdom of God is breaking into our lives.

This liturgical cycle culminates in the final coming of Jesus Christ in glory. Next Sunday, on the feast of Christ the King, we observe the end of salvation history when (to quote the letter of Paul) every human being and all that is will be subjected to Christ, who will deliver the Kingdom of God over to his heavenly Father.

Yes, we celebrate the story that began on the first page of Scripture: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” -- a story that ends on the last page of Scripture with the Maranatha prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus.” God will transform this universe into his glorious kingdom in all its fullness. We proclaim in the Eucharistic prayer: “Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.”

How this universe as we know it will end, we don’t know. But how is not the question. Rather the question is: Are we ready to meet the Living Christ when he comes to us in the mystery of death?

Today, the Book of Daniel pleads: don’t give up your faith despite the cruelties you’re enduring; the archangel Michael will protect you. Yes, good will triumph over evil.

The letter to the Hebrews recalls the one sacrifice of Jesus. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus re-established our relationship with God.

In the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus speaks about an apocalypse, with symbolic and scary images. Yes, Jesus Christ will usher in the kingdom of God in all its fullness. The Gospel author urges us always to be ready to meet the Living Christ because we don’t know when He actually will come to us in the mystery of death. And if we're not ready today, when will we be?

You may have read the book “Living a Life that Matters.” In his 40 years as a rabbi, Harold Kushner has cared for many people in the last moments of their lives. The people who had the most trouble with death were those who felt they hadn’t done anything worthwhile.

We shouldn’t be frightened that God will end the world as we know it. What we’re really called to do is to begin bringing about the kingdom of God: by getting our priorities straight, being peacemakers; treating one another fairly; helping people know they have a purpose; and giving a helping hand to others. We can become the compassionate eyes and hopeful voice and generous hands and dedicated feet of Jesus to others until He comes again with great power and glory.