Holy Family, Not '50s Family

This morning's readings — Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Colossians 3:12-21 or Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; and Luke 2:22-40 — have one thing in common: marriage and family.

That figures, since this is Holy Family Sunday.

Taking a cue from our Lord, Catholics see family as a big deal. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601-1658, particularly 1655; 2210)

That's not the same as holding up Happy Days or All In the Family as an ideal toward which all must strive.

So why is this in one of today's readings?

⁸ Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord."
(Colossians 3:18)

Some of the world's billion-plus living Catholics may think this verse justifies their view that wives are useful household items, along with the dog and a dishwasher.

That's not what the Church says, though. The rest of that bit from Colossians goes like this:

"Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged."
(Colossians 3:19-21)

It's not the 'share a bedroom while you feel like it' arrangement that's been popular occasionally: but Colossians 3:18-21 doesn't describe the toxic domestic lockup many of my generation grew up with.

I've talked about Ephesians 5:22-31, Judges 4:4-10; John 2:1-5, and herding goats, before. (February 9, 2014)

Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility: Keillor's Got a Point

Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon Catholics were members of the Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility parish.

The parish, and town, are fictional: but there's something to the stereotype that responsibility goes with being Catholic.

In a Catholic family, we all have duties: children (Catechism, 2214-2220); and parents (Catechism, 2221-2231); wives and husbands. (Catechism, 2360-2365)

Men and women aren't alike: which is fine with me. More to the point, that's the way God designed humanity:

"God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them."
(Genesis 1:27)

Since I think God designed humanity, and doesn't make junk: I think men and women are important. We have "an equal personal dignity." (Catechism, 2334, 2393)

Being "in the divine image" is more about our minds than our bodies, and I'm wandering off-topic. (Catechism, 1701-1709)

As usual, it boils down to 'love God, love my neighbor, see everybody as my neighbor.' (Matthew 5:43-44, 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-30; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1825)

The Church says parents have 'rights,' which governments should recognize: civic leaders have responsibilities, too.

Parents have, or should have, "...the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions...." That's because parents are — what else? — responsible for their children's education. (Catechism, 2229)

Part of their education is teaching our kids "...to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God...." (Catechism, 2226)

That doesn't mean I'm expected to train my kids to be priests, monks, or nuns. It's pretty obvious that none of our kids are headed for a "religious" vocation: which is okay. I'll get back to that.

Family and Freedom

Once I've made sure my kids got an education, I can tell them to be doctors, or lawyers, or whatever?

Nope. Not even if it's a family tradition.

"When they become adults, children have the right and duty to choose their profession and state of life...."
(Catechism, 2230)

I can't even tell my kids to get married, or who to marry — or not to get married.

My wife and I are expected to give our kids "judicious advice," while being "careful not to exert pressure on them ... either in the choice of a profession or in that of a spouse...." Once they're adults, the choice is theirs. (Catechism, 2230-2233)

Family is important: but it's not the most important thing in life. Putting anything ahead of God on my priority list is idolatry: which is strictly against the rules. (Catechism, 2112-2114)

Not All Vocations are "Vocations"

"Parents should respect and encourage their children's vocations. They should remember and teach that the first calling of the Christian is to follow Jesus."
(Catechism, 2253)

In my dialect of English, a "vocation" in the Catholic context generally means a "religious" vocation: being a priest, nun, or monk.

Clergy and holy orders are vocations: but so is being married, or single. As I've said before, everybody's got a vocation. (December 11, 2011)

"VOCATION: The calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter. God has created the human person to love and serve him; the fulfillment of this vocation is eternal happiness (1, 358, 1700). Christ calls the faithful to the perfection of holiness (825). The vocation of the laity consists in seeking the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will (898). Priestly and religious vocations are dedicated to the service of the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation (cf. 873; 931)."
(Catechism, Glossary, V)

Folks who follow a vowed life, nuns and monks, have a "vocation." (Catechism, 925-927)

So do ordained deacons, priests, bishops, the Pope; and everyone else. (Catechism, 874-896, 897-913, 1669)

I'm in the "everyone else" category: part of the laity. Our job is "...to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will...." (Catechism, 898)

The Catholic Church has been around for about two millennia, attracting folks from around the world. Every individual and each culture brings something new to the mix. Some innovations, like St. Francis of Assisi's nativity scene, are still with us.

Getting back to vocations, by now it's not just priests, nuns, monks, and laity. we've got secular institutes (Catechism, 928-929), societies of apostolic life (Catechism, 930), and other vocations that overlap vowed and laity.

No Pressure, Really

Two of our surviving kids are a bit like me; two are a bit like my wife; and each of them is a unique individual, pursuing his or her vocation. So far, they've all decided to stay with the Catholic Church.

But if one of them decided to walk out: the church door is unlocked, metaphorically speaking. Anyone is free to leave. Or join.

If one of the kids decided to stop being Catholic, I wouldn't be happy about it: but even if I could "make" them believe, I wouldn't. Seeking truth is a responsibility each of us has. Forcing another person to act against his or her convictions is against the rules. (Catechism, 2104-2109)

Maybe you've run into Catholics who don't live up to these high standards. I'm not surprised.

We're all human beings: basically good creatures, dealing with the consequences of a bad decision by our first parents. (Catechism, 388-389, 396-409)

For two millennia, the Church has been passing along what our Lord told us: 'love God, love our neighbor, see everybody as our neighbor.'

And for two millennia, some of us have paid attention: trying to live as if those ideas matter.

Looking Ahead

I wasn't a Catholic in the '60s and '70s, when 'those crazy kids' were trying to change the world.

I thought change was needed, though: and still do. Some of our reforms are turning out well. Others, not so much — but I'm glad the "good old days" aren't coming back.

Since today's America — and world — are far from perfect, we still have work to do.

When we're doing our job, the Church doesn't make people behave the right way. At its worst, forcing 'correct' behavior leads to atrocities like the Verden massacre. A dozen centuries later, we're still cleaning up that mess. (May 18, 2014)

Convincing folks that loving neighbors is a good idea takes longer. But after 19 centuries of passing along 'love God, love our neighbors, see everyone as our neighbor;' a remarkable number of folks started thinking that owning other people is wrong.

Human nature being what it is, some Catholics of the early 42nd century may be upset that the Church doesn't 'make' people behave.

My guess, and hope, is that the social ills they're sorting out won't be quite the same ones we have. And that's another topic. (October 26, 2014; September 13, 2011)

I'd say 'that's not my problem,' but I'm a member of society, with — you guessed it — responsibilities to future generations. And that's yet another topic. Topics. (Catechism, 1905, 1917, 2415, 2456)


(From Jaime Jasso, via DeviantArt.com, used w/o permission.)

More of my take on life, love, and the long haul:

• "Caesar, Civilization, Dealing With Change — and Building a Better World"
  (August 31, 2014)
  Particularly
  • Poems, Movies, and Slow Progress
  • It's the End of Civilization as We Know It: And About Time!
  • The Code of Hammurabi, Plus 3,700 years: Looking at the Big Picture
• "Joining the Universal Banquet"
  (August 3, 2014)
  Particularly
  • Bringing a Message of Hope and Love
  • Two Millennia: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
• " 'They Have no Wine' "
  (May 11, 2014)
  Particularly
  • Ephesians and Diapers
  • Queen, Yes: Passive, No
• "Unconsidered Optimism and Diaper Changing Tables"
  (June 23, 2013)
• "Sex, Marriage, and the Catholic Counter-Culture"
  (February 17, 2011)
  Particularly
  • Catholic Teachings, Not Victorian Melodrama
  • Marriage: Candy, Flowers, and Clogged Drains

Background:

• "For the XXXI World Day of Prayer for Vocations"
  Pope John Paul II (26 December 26, 1993)
• "Familiaris Consorti"
  On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World
  Pope John Paul II (November 22, 1981)
• "Gravissimum Educationis"
  Declaration on Christian Education
  Pope Paul VI (October 28, 1965)
• "Divini Illius Magistri" On Christian Education Pope Pius XI (December 31, 1939)

King Josiah, Consequences, and Love

(From John Martin, via Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.)

By some standards, this isn't a particularly "Christian" blog. I don't rant about the unending fires of Hell, or dwell on cheerful thoughts like this:

"...The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you...."
(Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God," Jonathan Edwards (1741))

That's because it's not 1741 any more, and I'm Catholic. I've talked about the Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards, and Mark Twain, before. (December 1, 2013)

As a Christian, I agree with Simon Peter:

"Simon Peter answered him, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

"We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.' "
(John 6:68-69)

Authority and Consequences

I became a Catholic after learning who holds the authority my Lord gave Peter. (September 13, 2014)

As a Catholic, I have to believe that God wants each of us to seek, know, and love Him with all our strength. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1-3)

That's why God sent my Lord to live as one of us, be tortured, executed, and then stop being dead. (Catechism, 484-486, 638)

I also must believe that God creates a good and ordered universe: and didn't make a horrible mistake when creating us. Humanity, and each of us, is basically good — but since our beginning, we have lived with the consequences of our first parent's willful disobedience. (Catechism, 289-299, 388-409)

Baptism isn't so much a matter of washing a dirty soul, as restoring life to a spiritually dead one. (Catechism, 1213-1274)

Since two of our six children died before getting baptized, I'm particularly interested in the "baptism of desire." That, and the "baptism of blood," are — another topic. (Catechism, 1257-1261)

Joy and Elizabeth weren't baptized because they died before birth. My wife and I were preoccupied each time, and I've been over that before. (May 3, 2010)

"And He Found it Very Good"

"God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed - the sixth day."
(Genesis 1:31)

That's after Genesis outlines God's creation of everything: "the heavens and the earth," and humanity. (Genesis 1:1-31)

Genesis?! I'm a Christian — and a Catholic — so I take the Bible very seriously. It's 'in the rules.' (Catechism, 101-133)

But I don't consult Sacred Scripture when my computer is on the fritz, and I understand that scientific discoveries are an invitation to "even greater admiration." (Catechism, 283)

Truth cannot threaten an informed faith, and poetry isn't science. (September 21, 2014; July 18, 2014; September 21, 2014; October 13, 2013)

Like everyone else living today, I'm called to seek God: but wounded by sin. I need help. That's where my Lord comes in. (Catechism, 763-766, 771, 1949)

I can decide to seek God and act as if following God's will matters: or not. But I can't work or pray my way into heaven. (James 2:26; Catechism, 1704, 1730, 1815, 1987-2016)

Sin — deciding to act against reason, truth, and a right conscience — is real. It is an offense against God, and a very bad idea. It's not that I could hurt the Almighty. The problem with sin, deliberately turning away from God, is that it can result in my being permanently separated from my Lord: in Hell. (Catechism, 1033-1037)

God doesn't send anyone into Hell: but nobody's dragged, kicking and screaming, into Heaven.

As long as I'm alive, I can decide that my offense was wrong: and ask God to forgive me. (Catechism, 1849, 1851, 1861)

God forgives sins. It's a fairly straightforward process: but there's more than just saying 'I'm sorry.'

After that, I have work to do: fixing, as far as I can, the damage done to myself, to others, and to my relationship with God. (Catechism, 1422-1470)

Acting against reason, truth, and a right conscience, has consequences. It's not that God 'gets even' with folks who sin. Ethical principles are woven into this creation. When we act against those principles, we get hurt. (Catechism, 1472, 1950-1960)

"...Our Written Obligations"

King Josiah lived about 2,650 years back. He "pleased the LORD and conducted himself unswervingly just as his ancestor David had done." (2 Kings 22:2)

Judah's two preceding kings, Manasseh and Amon, had other priorities. Manasseh "...immolated his son by fire. He practiced soothsaying and divination, and reintroduced the consulting of ghosts and spirits...." (2 Kings 21:6)

Amon's reign was more of the same. By the time Josiah became king, Judah was a mess. Among other things, the temple in Jerusalem was in bad shape.

Josiah ordered a massive repair and restoration project, which uncovered a long-ignored document:

"When the king had heard the contents of the book of the law, he tore his garments

"and issued this command to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, son of Shaphan, Achbor, son of Micaiah, the scribe Shaphan, and the king’s servant Asaiah:

" 'Go, consult the LORD for me, for the people, for all Judah, about the stipulations of this book that has been found, for the anger of the LORD has been set furiously ablaze against us, because our fathers did not obey the stipulations of this book, nor fulfill our written obligations.' "
(2 Kings 22:11-13)

I tend to remember Josiah's words in my own dialect – something along the lines of "we had a written contract!" or "we had a deal!" — with God the Almighty — and violated the terms.

No wonder that King Josiah was upset. He understood the consequences: which is why he paid attention to what the prophetess Huldah said.

Briefly, there was no avoiding penalties for offenses committed by the two preceding kings. That's just the way things work. But since Josiah reacted as he had, God delayed the consequences.

Love and Forgiveness

" 'But to the king of Judah who sent you to consult the LORD, give this response: "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: As for the threats you have heard,

"because you were heartsick and have humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard my threats that this place and its inhabitants would become a desolation and a curse; because you tore your garments and wept before me; I in turn have listened, says the LORD.

"I will therefore gather you to your ancestors; you shall go to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the evil I will bring upon this place." ' This they reported to the king."
(2 Kings 22:18-20)

King Josiah's efforts at restoring terms of the covenant seem harsh by today's standards. We've learned quite a bit in the last 26 centuries: and still have much left to learn. (October 26, 2014)

Josiah was buried "in his own grave" in Jerusalem, after falling in battle at Megiddo. (2 Kings 23:29-30)

That isn't going "in peace" by today's standards: but I'm quite willing to see Josiah's life and death as a fulfillment of God's promise. As I said earlier, forgiveness is real: but so are consequences.

Judah's next king returned to the low standards set by Manasseh and Amon.

Several centuries later my Lord came into this world: not to condemn the world, but to save it. (John 3:17)

God loves sinners: and wants us to stop sinning. The 'punishments' we experience as the result of our actions are a consequence of our ignoring ethical realities — and opportunities for us to learn charity and detachment. (Romans 5:8; Catechism, 226, 1424, 1472-1473, 2544)

Bottom line, God doesn't have anger management issues:

• " 'Those Who are Just Must be Kind' "
  (July 20, 2014)
• "Vengeance, Anger, and Looking Ahead"
  (July 13, 2014)
  Particularly
  • Anger, Sin, and Getting a Grip
• "God, Jesus, and Me: Personal?!"
  (January 5, 2014)
• "Looking Forward to Heaven"
  (August 25, 2013)
  Particularly
  • Revelation and Responsibility
  • Finding God's Kingdom
• "The Man Who Wouldn't Stay Dead"
  (March 11, 2012)

Joy and Standing Orders

My father reminded me of this good advice when I was in my teens: "...whatever is true, ... whatever is lovely, ... think about these things." My response was something like '...because they won't last.'

I wasn't happy about saying that at the time. Decades later, I still regret the statement. I can't, of course, undo what was done: and the time for telling my father "I'm sorry" has long since passed. In any case, I said "I'm sorry" too often, and that's almost another topic.

That quote is from today's second reading, Philippians 4:6-9. I'll get back to that.

Today, thanks to very powerful antidepressants and a few other psychoactive prescriptions, I no longer have to fight the controls to make my brain work. I even have moments when I feel good about who I am and what I do.

That's a nice change of pace.

Melancholia was being redefined as depressive reaction while I was growing up, then to depressive neurosis; so maybe it's just as well that my condition wasn't spotted then. In any case, if I'd spent my adolescence and the bulk of my adult life in a different way — I wouldn't be where I am today.

Joy, Zest, and Mud

As it is, I had an opportunity to reason my way out of suicide: and developed a knack for seeing beauty in just about anything.

I seldom felt that emotional rush of wonder and delight at seeing a crescent moon, or noticing symmetries and order in drying mud. But I learned to appreciate the beauty that's built into this universe.

A dictionary says that joy can mean intense happiness: particularly ecstatic or exultant happiness. Ecstasy can mean intense joy or delight, getting so emotionally whipped up that rational thought and self-control are impossible.

I've run into folks who seem to approach faith with a zest and enthusiasm worthy of a homecoming game pep rally. That's okay, but I very much prefer a faith that still works when all the light and color is drained from the world.

Since I'm a Catholic, my faith depends on what I believe: not how I'm feeling. Faith and reason get along: or should. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 30, 156-159, 274, 1706)

It's not all about cold logic, though. Now and then we get a glimpse of the beatific vision. Most of us, anyway. (Catechism, 163)

The Beatific Vision and Mirrors

The beatific vision is contemplation of God in heavenly glory. I put a definition at the end of this post. I can't tell you what it's like from personal experience: my metaphorical mirror isn't all that shiny.

"At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known."
(1 Corinthians 13:12)

That's okay: since, like 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "we walk by faith, not by sight."

That's not the same as blind faith, or the sort that conscientiously avoids facts and reason. As a Catholic, I must believe that, using reason, we're "...capable of understanding the order of things established by the Creator...;" and that "conscience is a judgment of reason ... a law of the mind...." (Catechism, 1704, 1778)

And that's yet another topic. Topics.

Rejoice!

"Rejoice ⁴ in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

---

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

"Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁶ "
(Philippians 4:4, 6-8)

Some of those verses are from today's readings, the first comes earlier in Philippians 4. Nearly a half-century after my father reminded me about them, I've found that they're pretty good advice.

I still don't "feel" joyful very often, and that's okay. I may never have the "mountaintop experience" folks describe as being overwhelmed, 'knocked down,' by God's presence. That's also okay.

Emotions are part of being human. They're even useful, in their own way. But I've found that reason is a better tool for making decisions. Still more topics. (Catechism, 1763-1770, 1776-1794)

Folks have taken verses like Philippians 4:6, "have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God," and run straight off the edge of reality.

Christians, everybody, are wounded people, living in a damaged world. We're going to have trouble, no matter what. (Catechism, 386-390)

The trick is not being anxious about the troubles we face.

I think looking at the big picture helps.

Move Out!

Almost two thousand years back, Jesus, the Son of God, was conceived. He was born, lived, was tortured and finally killed on Golgotha. For anybody else, that would have been the end.

Jesus isn't just anybody. Three days later, Jesus stopped being dead.

If that seems unbelievable, don't feel bad. It took quite a few meetings and at least one working lunch to convince the Apostles that Jesus was, in fact, really — no kidding — not a ghost — sit-down-and-eat-a-baked-fish, alive.

"While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, 'Have you anything here to eat?'

"They gave him a piece of baked fish;

"he took it and ate it in front of them."
(Luke 24:41-43)

---

"Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, 'Peace be with you.'

"Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.' "
(John 20:26-27)

Then my Lord gave us standing orders and a promise. That scene, in Matthew 28:18-20, is one of my favorites. I also enjoy reading what happened next:

"While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.

"They said, 'Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.' "
(Acts 1:10-11)

Those verses from Acts remind me of a now-cliche scene from old movies, where the commander's inspiring speech is over — and the sergeant says something like 'alright! You got your orders: Move out!

Two millennia later, the standing orders haven't changed: and that's yet again another topic.

Not-entirely-unrelated posts:

• "Robin Williams, Suicide, and Hope"
  (August 17, 2014)
  Particularly
  • Major Depressive Disorder: Real; Serious — and Treatable
• "Joyful, Yes: Giddy, No"
  (December 28, 2013)
  Particularly
  • Joy, Ecstasy, and Victory Celebrations
  • "Set Free From Sin"
• "Seeing the Horizon"
  (May 19, 2013)
  Particularly
  • Pickled Peppers
  • Fun is Good: Joy is Better
  • Eyes on the Horizon
• "Life, Death, and a Sore Wrist"
  (April 21, 2013)
  Particularly
  • God is In Control, We Have Orders
  • "...Neither Death, Nor Life..."
• "Fasting, Penance: and Infinite Depths of Joy"
  (June 3, 2012)
  Particularly
  • Despondency isn't a Virtue?
  • God, Rain, and Me
  • "Infinite Joy"

A look at the deep end of prayer, by another blogger:

• "True Contemplation and its Counterfeit – Part one"
  David Torkington (September 2, 2014)
• "True Contemplation and its Counterfeit – Part two"
   David Torkington (September 15, 2014)
• "The Beginning of Contemplative prayer"
  David Torkington (October 3, 2014)

---

"BEATIFIC VISION: The contemplation of God in heavenly glory, a gift of God which is a constitutive element of the happiness (or beatitude) of heaven (1028, 1720)."
(Catechism, Glossary, B)

"Love One Another"

Readings for March 24, 2013, Palm Sunday:

• At the procession with palms - Gospel
  • Luke 19:28-40
• At the mass
  • Isaiah 50:4-7
  • John 13:31-33a, John 13:31-35
  • Philippians 2:6-11
  • Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49

---

Second Sunday of Advent 2012

By Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas
March 24, 2013

Much has happened since father left us three months ago, but we'll leave that to him to tell us the stories. I suppose we can say that much has happened here as well as we with great joy welcome a new Pope by the name of Francis.

So I beg your patience as I start my homily today, the way in the past I have concluded: you all be Good, be Holy, preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words! As this little exchange becomes popular between you and me further explanation becomes necessary, in that we must know, who we are, who we represent, and that we love one another as God has loved us, in Christ Jesus.

This exchange is a reflection not onlyof pope Francis, but also St. Francis, who you will remember taking a young man out to preach the gospel on a particular day: returns to the abbey and the young man says to Francis but father we didn't do any preaching today and Frances answers, if necessary use words. And I would add, do all things in Love!

"Love one another. Love your neighbor as yourself." Ancient commandments. When these words are genuinely heard and obeyed, however, there is utter newness. New, revolutionary things begin to happen. Consider how new and even startling it is when, centuries after Leviticus, a man appeared in Palestine who loved his neighbors as himself. When the commandment was actually lived out, something so new happened that it threatened all those who had an investment in the status quo. The religious establishment in Jerusalem couldn't handle Jesus' radical obedience to the ancient commandment that they had known all their lives. The commandment to love was old, and as long as it stayed in print, OK. When it was embodied, it was something new, with awesome implications.

Before he was crucified, Jesus gave his disciples a renewed commandment. It was not merely, love one another. It was to love one another just as I have loved you. In Jesus, a higher kind of love was revealed. Divine Love transcends all forms of human loving. Jesus' love was like God's love, gracious, and self giving to the point of costly sacrifice. No one has greater love than this, he said, then to lay down one's life for one's friends. Then he demonstrated it on the cross.

From the feast of St. Mark, from last Thursday," go into the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature, hallelujah."

Pope Francis this past Wednesday, said, "Christians know they will be judged at the end of time on how they used the talents God has given them and how they served others especially the poor." He also admitted that we will always have the poor with us, he objected, however, when governments made people poor.

Being as how we belong to a church, that one of its basic tenants is a fundamental option for the poor, recalling this is important for our salvation. Pope Francis also spoke about the importance of using the talents God has given each person, and, in both Italian and Spanish, he urged young people to recognize their gifts and seek ways to use them to serve God, others and the whole world. And of course this is not only true for young people it is true for those of us getting on in age.

This past Monday I removed from the tabernacle 65 hosts and began my rounds, concluding about noon, and found I was even running short. I'm not asking for a pat on the back, I am simply doing what I must do. But the question came up at the nursing home why am I doing what I'm doing on Monday mornings, and finally, I said, for no other reason than that, I love you! But it also challenges us to see that these people that I see on Monday mornings are now classified as being poor among us. And you may ask how can I say that because most certainly some of these people are very wealthy. But it really isn't the point is it. When in our lifetime whether it is the unborn, whether it is the handicapped or the aged, being poor is far less to do with wealth than it does with the inability to care for oneself.

Pope Francis adds: "Faith is a gift and salvation is a grace," but in order to bear fruit, God's grace requires us to be open, to give a free and concrete response." And I would add, as we respond to the poorest among us.

So you all be Good, be Holy, preached the Gospel always and if necessary use words.

---

'Thank you' to Deacon Kaas, for letting me post his reflection here.

---

More reflections:

• "Reflections from Sauk Centre's Our Lady of Angels Church"

Related posts:

• "Still Coming to America"
  (April 28, 2013)
• "Love, Neighbors, and Asteroids"
  (April 26, 2013)
• "Bombs at the Marathon: Death, Anger, and Love"
  (April 19, 2013)
  Particularly
  • Overcoming Evil
• "Pope Francis I: 'Seeming Anomalies' and a Sense of Humor"
  (March 15, 2013)
• " 'Arrogant Scoundrels,' 'People Who Care,' and Me"
  (March 10, 2013)

I Prayed, I Voted: Now We See What Happens

The 2008 American presidential election didn't come out the way I'd have liked. But, that happens sometimes.



I prayed; studied; voted. Those prayers weren't for McCain to win, or Obama to lose. The family prayers were for the right leaders to be picked in the election. I really do not understand how tonight's election results constitute the right leaders being picked.

But, as Job discovered, there's not much point in trying to get a complete explanation from God. I don't think it's because God is being secretive: I think it's because human beings don't have the capacity to understand. We're finite, God isn't.

I did a little digging, and came up with these thoughts:

• God is all-powerful, but his power is not arbitrary (271)
• Creation is being completed - it is "in a state of journeying" toward perfection, but isn't there yet (302)
• "...The sacred books powerfully affirm God's absolute sovereignty over the course of events: 'Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.'..." (303")

Being the sort of person I am, the way I tend to put these sublime ideas is -

God is large and in charge: and I have to assume He knows what He's doing.

More, about

• "Obama, McCain, Life, Death, Abortion, Voting, and this American Catholic"