Jesus is Our Guide, Our Good News and Our Provider

Jesus Invites us: "Come to Me."

During Independence Day weekend, we celebrate the Declaration of Independence which set in motion the United States of America. No American document has had a greater impact on the world in the human quest for freedom, equality, dignity, opportunity, and the laws to protect these.

So, we pray: God bless America so we may increasingly be, and long remain, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus invites us, “Come to me.” He calls us to open our hearts to God and to our fellow human beings by giving God praise and worship; by being generous, by forgiving those who have wronged us, by caring. That’s why we gather in liturgy: to open our hearts.

The word of God first takes us back to the sixth century before Jesus. Zechariah speaks about a messianic leader who will usher in a new era of peace, justice and prosperity. He challenges us to always hope in God. Many philosophers argue that hope is a fundamental characteristic of human life. Think about it.

St. Paul in his letter to the Christian community at Rome speaks about the Spirit of God dwelling within us. We are living temples of God. The Spirit empowers us to live a life of integrity, courage, compassion and faith.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus begins with a prayer of praise. Then he invites us to enter his triune life: “Come to me, all you who find life burdensome and I will refresh you.”

Yes, when we begin to think life is empty, or heavy-laden, Jesus is there to fill our emptiness, to lighten our burdens. He is our true wisdom, the image of the God we cannot see, our guide, our good news and our provider.

God has bestowed the gifts of the Spirit in the life-giving waters of baptism: wisdom (to recognize what truly matters), intelligence (to discern what's true), courage, compassion, good judgment, and wonder and awe. Yes, Jesus will guide us to our true destiny.

The word “gospel” means “good news.” In a world that desperately needs good news, Jesus Christ lives and because he lives, we live. The good news of Jesus is dynamically relevant to all generations, cultures and situations. People’s basic needs are always the same. The message of the gospel is always the same. Set aside regular time to contemplate the scriptures.

Ultimately, Jesus taught us to pray. “Give us this day our daily bread...” God will provide all we need. If we give generously, we will discover that we cannot out-give God, who will do amazing things for and through us.

This doesn't mean life will be easy. Yet, Jesus is indeed our wisdom who guides us, brings us good news and provides for us so that we can become the best version of ourselves: with eternal life, liberty and justice, and the pursuit of true happiness.

Have a happy and safe Independence Day weekend.

Becoming the Best Version of Ourselves by Living the Beatitudes

Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5

The word of God today, takes us to the ninth century before Jesus, to a holy man named Elisha. A wealthy childless woman welcomes this “holy person” into her home. This woman invites us to always be hospitable to one another; and Elisha challenges us to trust in God’s providence or care for us as we journey through life.

St. Paul’s letter describes how we have the triune life of God in us through the waters of baptism. Paul challenges us to remember who we really are: new creatures, sons and daughters of God our Father, called to live a God-like life.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus calls us to get our priorities straight.  Our first priority: to live in a relationship with God. Our second priority: to see the face of God in our fellow human beings, no matter how hidden or shabby that face of God is in them.

Jesus calls us to live a life of discipleship. Not tomorrow or some future day, but today, here and now! Then we will experience what joy and happiness are all about.
Everyone wants happiness.

Many think that if they get enough money, fame, or power, they’ll be happy. But if so, explain how so many celebrities who “had it all” sedated themselves with drugs or other addictions.

Happiness has to factor into life: work with its stresses; relationships with their tensions; disappointments versus dreams; guilt about what one did or didn’t do; health or lack thereof. And ultimately, happiness has to factor into death.

Let’s remember that at one point in his earthly ministry, many followers left Jesus. Jesus then turned to his inner circle and asked, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter replied, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Yes, we become happiest by mastering the basics: I suggest we easily find them in the Beatitudes. Then with God's grace, we become the best version of ourselves.

In the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the kind of moral character we should have, in our relationship with God and our relationships with one another.

First, disciples recognize that only God can fill their emptiness.  That’s what it means to be poor in spirit. We needn’t try to fill ourselves with earthly things. Disciples recognize who they are: fragile creatures whom an awesome Creator gifted with life. We realize our good fortune to be alive and are grateful and we owe this awesome Creator praise and worship
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Disciples yearn for healing from their brokenness and know only God can heal. They are gentle, considerate and unassuming. Disciples, above all, hunger for a right relationship with God.

The next beatitudes have to do with our relationships with one another.

Fortunate are they who forgive wrongs done to them and let go of their anger and resentment. God will be merciful to them. Fortunate are the pure in heart, who have integrity, openness, and authenticity in their relationships; they will see God face to face. Fortunate are they who are ready to suffer rather than betray their conscience, who try to do the right thing in all situations.
And finally, fortunate are they who don’t stir up conflict but try to be at peace with God, with themselves, and with others.

I pray that God will grace us to live the beatitudes so that we will become the best version of ourselves, disciples of the Master, always living in a right relationship with God and each other. Amen!

Secrets to Happiness

Christ Preaching at Capernaum by Gottlieb

I came across a book titled The Power of Meaning, which may be edifying reading during Lent (beginning Ash Wednesday, February 26).

Happiness, the book proposes, results from living an other-centered life. The author, Emily Esfahani Smith, describes ingredients for a meaningful life:
First, a sense of belonging, whether family, friends or colleagues. Belonging makes us feel that we matter and that we have people where we can be our true selves. The second ingredient, purpose, motivates and energizes us to do something for others. The third ingredient: storytelling. We are all storytellers in that we try to make sense out of our lives and form an identity. The final ingredient: transcendence -- living for someone or something greater than ourselves.

But I would add one more ingredient: there's within every human being a subconscious if not conscious quest for what is ultimately good and true and beautiful: we call this God. To paraphrase St. Augustine in his classic "Confessions" of the fourth century: our  hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O God.

Now what does God's word say? Jesus in today’s Gospel asks us to love our enemies. The real challenge is to love people we live and work with -- to create and nurture a friendly, helpful and welcoming environment. Jesus instills within us a vision that sees beyond stereotypes, politics and appearances and recognizes the “spark of the divine” in everyone.

In the Greek text of Matthew’s Gospel, the word for love is agape. That indicates an open, unconditional love for our fellow human beings, wishing them all good. You don’t have to like someone to love them. The agape that Jesus asks us to have means that, no matter how much someone upsets us, we will never let bitterness close our hearts to them nor will we seek anything but their good. Agape recognizes the humanity we share with all people.

Jesus makes radical demands upon us: “give to everyone who asks.” Who can do that? How understand these teachings? First, Jesus connects our love of God with our love for one another. We can’t say we love God and yet neglect fellow human beings in need.

Second, these ethical teachings have to be linked to the mission of Jesus. Jesus proclaims that the kingdom of God is in our midst. Yes, the kingdom is here but not fully. You and I live in-between the historical coming of Jesus centuries ago and the final coming of Jesus at the end-time. We live in the tension between.

Jesus indicates the goal or thrust of our behavior, the direction of our lives: be generous.
To the person who strikes you on one side of the face, Jesus says, offer the other as well. But sometimes we have to stand up against wrongs. The teaching of Jesus indicates again the thrust or direction of our lives, that is, we should try to be peacemakers, healers, bridge builders, reconcilers.
The genuine disciple seizes the many opportunities to do good today.

Wishing you blessed days this Lenten season.

Life, Liberty, Happiness

The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5: 1-11

On the Fourth of July, we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. That document proclaims these truths: “…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The word of God speaks to those principles. For example, in the 9th century before Jesus, God called Elisha to succeed Elijah as a prophetic voice. Elisha answered God’s call with a “yes.” He didn’t know how life would unfold; he simply trusted in God.

God calls us to live a life of discipleship. Not yesterday or sometime in the future, but today!

We may sometimes judge others, like James and John in today’s Gospel, who wanted to obliterate two Samaritans for their lack of hospitality. But Jesus rebukes the disciples and continues to Jerusalem. On his way, someone asks to follow Jesus. Jesus’s reply indicates discipleship is making God your first priority.

Paul, in his letter to the Christian community in Galatia, proclaims that Jesus has freed us from our worse selves (the vices of our dark side) so that we can be our better authentic selves (in a life of virtue). Yes, the Spirit of God lives and moves and breathes within us so that we can become our authentic selves. Paul may ask, how are we using that liberty?

This insight of St. Paul’s intrigues me. Freedom to be ourselves is what joy and happiness are all about. Everybody wants happiness. Many think that if they get enough money, fame, or power, they’ll be happy. But if so, explain how some celebrities who “had it all” sedated themselves with drugs. Happiness has to factor into life, work, relationships, and ultimately death.

Bishop Robert Barron, of “Word on Fire” fame, cites Michael Jordan as an example of someone who became his happiest not by playing any way he wanted but by mastering the basics.
So too with us. Mastering the basics of discipleship with Jesus.

Yes, we become our happiest by mastering the basics (e.g., the beatitudes). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the kind of character we should have. The first beatitudes (or attitudes) focus on our relationship with God. The next steps, our relationships with one another.

Disciples recognize only God can fill their emptiness. That’s what it means to be poor in spirit. An awesome Creator gifted us with life. Disciples realize their fortune to be alive and are grateful. They know only God can heal and gift them with eternal life. They are gentle, considerate and unassuming. Disciples, above all, hunger for a right relationship with God.

Next: our relationships with one another. Fortunate are they who forgive and let go of anger and resentment. Happy are they who are pure in heart, who have integrity in their relationships; they will see God face to face.

And fortunate are they who are ready to suffer rather than betray their conscience, who try to do the right thing in all decisions in life. Now that’s a worthy pursuit.

Finding True Happiness

Jesus Healing the Blind Bartimaeus

The word of God today first takes us back to the prophet Jeremiah, who speaks about hope: a new beginning for a people now overwhelmed by tragedy but soon to enjoy peace. Jeremiah challenges us to hope always in God even when bad things happen. Sadly, this weekend our prayers are with the Pittsburgh community where eleven people at the Tree of Life synagogue were killed.

The letter to the Hebrews speaks of the saving work of Jesus, who through his death and resurrection re-established our relationship with God and one another. This challenges us to see our earthly life in light of our true purpose: being in relationship with God and one another forever.

In the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus asks a blind man: “what do you want me to do?” The man answers: “I want to see.” Jesus says: “Your faith has saved you.” And the blind man saw.

Today I want to reflect briefly upon a man of extraordinary faith. Paul, initially known as Saul of Tarsus, was well educated in Judaism and Greco-Roman philosophy. He had been a rabid persecutor of Christians.

But on a journey to Damascus in Syria, he was awestruck by a light from heaven. The visionary experience of the risen Christ turned Paul’s life upside down. He became one of the greatest evangelizers, preaching salvation for all. This controversial religious genius established faith communities throughout the eastern Mediterranean, and authored letters shaping the history of Christian thought. Paul eventually was beheaded by order of the Roman emperor Nero.

I believe Paul, well versed in philosophy, had a keen insight into what makes human beings tick. Everyone yearns for happiness. We often do things that we think will make us happy, only to end up miserable. Why? Because we sometimes confuse pleasure with happiness.

Etched into Paul’s vision of human beings were the words of Jesus:  “I have come so that they may have life--God's life-- and have it more abundantly.”

For Paul, the path that leads to the fullness of life is discipline. Think about it. When we eat well, exercise often, and sleep regularly, we feel more fully alive physically. When we love, when we give priority to significant relationships, when we lend a helping hand to others, we’re more fully alive emotionally. When we study the achievements of the human spirit in various cultures, our world grows, and we’re more fully alive intellectually.

And when we take a few moments each day humbly with God in prayer, carefully contemplating God’s word, we experience more fully the transcendent dimension of our lives, the spiritual, the awesome presence of God.

All of these life-giving endeavors require discipline. Discipline sets us free to attain our ultimate purpose: life with God. Freedom is indeed a prerequisite for love.

St. Paul grasped this. He preached that Christ came to reconcile us with the Father and satisfies the craving for happiness that preoccupies our hearts: ultimately a yearning for friendship and intimacy with our Creator.

Think Big

I would like to highlight good earthly as well as heavenly citizenship by introducing you to an author by the name of Benjamin Carson whom I had the pleasure of meeting about five years ago. This year his book “One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America's Future” was a number one best seller.   He also wrote “Gifted Hands” “The Big Picture” and “Think Big.”

Carson’s book titled “Think Big” outlines his philosophy of life, how to make a difference, how to realize the potential within ourselves. “THINK BIG” is an acronym or abbreviation for the following which can be a guide for citizenship.

T-stands for talent and time.  Continue developing our talents  and using them to help others.  And yes, learn to manage time well every day.  Jesus reminds us often that the only time we have for certain is today.

H-stands for hope and honesty.  Be optimistic. Look for the good in yourself, and look for the good in other people and in every situation.  And always speak the truth.  When someone does something dishonest, he/she usually does something else to cover up, and life becomes hopelessly complex.  But the truth makes our life amazingly simple.

I -stands for insight or wisdom.  Listen to people (that’s why God gave us two ears and one mouth), seek out mentors and learn from these mentors who have been where we’d like to go.  Get their insights. Above all, search for the insights of Jesus, our true wisdom,  in the New Testament.

            N -stands for nice. Be kind, friendly, and helpful, and we’ll have few regrets in life. Become a good Samaritan.

            K -stands for knowledge.  Knowledge is the key to dreams, hopes, and aspirations.  If we’re knowledgeable, we become an asset to people.  It expands our horizons.  Study the scriptures and the teachings of the Church so that we can attain eternal life.

            B- stands for books.  Developing good reading habits is a bit like being a champion weightlifter.  A champ doesn’t start lifting 500 pounds, but builds.  It’s the same with our intellectual abilities.  We develop our minds by reading books, thinking, figuring things out. Read the books of the holy men and women of the Church, e.g., Augustine, Benedict, Thomas Aquinas, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Francis de Sales, Pascal, Therese de Lisieux, Chesterton or Merton.  

            I- stands for in-depth learning. Superficial learners cram for exams but forget.  In-depth learners get more by discovering more about what they know.  Meditate on the daily liturgy scriptures. 

            And G- stands for GOD.  Never get too big for God.  Tune into God’s presence around you and within you every day.   Trust in God because he loves you.   Even if we give up on God, he’ll never give up on us.  Develop your relationship with God.

“If we can remember these things, if we can learn to THINK BIG,” Dr. Carson says we will be happy in all our endeavors, great and small, whether attainable or not.