Accountability, Integrity, Honesty

In today's first reading from the second book of Samuel, 2 Sam 12: 1-7a, 10-17, God sends the prophet Nathan to confront David, who covered up his sin against Uriah, having taken his wife as his own and having relations with her leading to Bathsheba becoming pregnant. His initial lying led to the greater sin of arranging for Uriah's death.  David thought that he would get away with his crimes against Uriah and his family, but did not.  Neither will you and I get away with whatever wrongs we have committed.  Being held accountable, hopefully, will happen for us here on earth and not wait until eternity.

Every night when we listen to the news we hear of cover-ups, denials and persons enabling others to get away with their crimes against humanity.  And so much more of this kind of corruption occurs  that is not part of the news.  This behavior goes all the way back to the story in Genesis of Adam and Eve covering up their sinful behavior. "I hid from you," Adam tells God, "because I was naked."  God held both Adam and Eve accountable for their sins and continues to all you and me to openness about our wrongdoings, as He did with David.  David repented, modeling the importance of owning up to how we have harmed others.

Can God count on you and I to be a "Nathan," a woman/a man of integrity, a person who will stand up to truth and hold ourselves and others accountable? Or do we cower from those who threaten us and bully us to remain silent, either of our own sinfulness or that of others?

Honesty and Humility: Twin Sisters

In today's first reading, 2 Sam 11: 1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17, we are presented with the story of King David and his giving into the temptation of having a sexual relationship with Uriah's wife Bathsheba. We are presented with the lengths that he goes to cover up his sin when he finds out that Bathsheba conceived that night.  David arranges for Uriah to be  put in the front lines of a fierce battle and asked that he be abandoned there in the knowledge that he would not survive!  And he didn't!  David, we can say, arranged for Uriah's murder to cover up his sinful behavior with Uriah's wife.  His cover up is worse than the murder itself, I believe. 

This kind of behavior goes on to this very day in varying degrees.  In shame, it is not unusual for us to cover up our sins and to go to any length to do so!  It takes  lots of humility to be honest when we have done wrong.  But only honesty frees us. Lying ensnares us and drags us into a pit out of which it is difficult to climb. And again, honesty is the ladder that leads us out of whatever pit we have dug for ourselves.

Whose example helps you be honest with yourself and others?  To whom do you look for help?

God's Presence

In today's first reading,Exodus 40: 16-21, 34-38,  Moses, following God's commands, erects a Dwelling for the Lord. A "cloud covered the meeting tent, and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling...Whenever the cloud rose from the Dwelling, the children of Israel would set out on their journey. But if the cloud did not lift, they would not go forward;only when it lifted did they go forward. In the daytime the cloud of the Lord was seen over the Dwelling; whereas at night, fire was seen in the cloud by the whole house of Israel in all the stages of their journey."

God is also with us "in all the stages of [our] journey"--sometimes as a Cloud and sometimes as Fire, even when our eyes are veiled from seeing God clearly or not at all!  We could learn from the Israelites to not go forward when "a cloud" hangs over our life but to wait until the cloud lifts. "Wait upon the Lord" and we shall be saved, we are told in the Scriptures.

Let us pray for the grace to learn to wait for the Lord's directions. Let us call upon the Lord to show us the way when "the cloud or clouds" fog our vision, making impossible for us to see which way to turn, or what decision to make.  May we have the humility to know when we don't know and to avoid pretending that we do know when in fact we do not have a clue!

The Bounty of the Lord in our Lives

In the first reading, Philippians 2: 12-18, St. Paul is writing from his prison cell, filled with joy as he anticipates being martyred for the faith.  He is encouraging the Philippians to continue working out their salvation in the Lord Jesus. He asked them to do God's work without "grumbling or questioning."  Recall a time in your life when nothing was too much for those you love--nothing was too much for the Lord! May you and I have the courage to continue doing what we are called to do, as husbands/wives, parents/grandparents, employers or employees, members of a parish, a civic community  or a religious community.  "[B]e blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you  hold onto the word of life [Jesus Christ].... ...[E]ven if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith [martyred], I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me [and with each other]."

As in the case of the Philippians, we, too, live "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation."  Living honestly and morally,  doing what is right for all peoples, I believe, is at an all-time low in the U.S. and likely throughout the world of the 21st century.  Do you, do I, "shine like lights" in this world or are we part of the darkness?  Are we colluders with those spreading darkness in the world of asylum seekers, persons fleeing corrupt and violent dictators in their own native countries? Are we in collusion with those hating others because of their skin color or their sexual orientation or because they practice a faith  other than our own?  Are we among those spreading messages of hopelessness or do we, in the words of the responsorial psalm, "believe that we shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. [Are we waiting] for the Lord with courage...; [are we] stouthearted"?  Are we ourselves persons whose goodness, honesty, love, and faith bring others to proclaim: I have seen/experienced  "the bounty o the Lord" today? If not, why not? And if not, what behaviors/attitudes do I, do you need to change?

Jesus' Directness

In today's Gospel, Mark 10: 17-30, a man runs up to Jesus, kneels down, and poses the following question to him: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?  ....You know the commandments," Jesus says to him and spells out what those commandments are. The man answers: "Teacher, all of those I have kept since my youth."  Jesus looks at the man and loves him deeply. He says to him:  You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have  treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  The man's face fell, and he walked away from Jesus saddened, "for he had many possessions," of which he was not ready to let go!

With some fear, I asked Jesus:  What must I do to inherit eternal life?  With greater fear, I asked Jesus to tell me what was the one thing that I lacked?  And He told me!

What question or questions do you need to ask Jesus? After you ask that question, wait, in prayer, for Jesus' answer!  Be not afraid!  Jesus is gentle but honest. And remember, as with the man in today's Gospel:  Jesus looks at you and loves you deeply!

Learning from the Scriptures

Today's Gospel, John 1:45-51, presents the calling of Nathaniel (St. Bartholomew) to become an apostle of the Lord.  God uses Philip to alert Nathaniel to his calling. Philip find Nathaniel under a fig tree and tells him that he and others "have found the one about whom Moses were in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth."  Nathaniel sarcastically asks: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"  Philip does not get sucked into Nathaniel's sarcasm or dismissal but says to Nathaniel: "Come and see!"

Am I, in this passage, Nathaniel, one who does not mince words, who speaks his mind, who is forthright in speaking to others? Jesus sees the depth of Nathaniel's heart and introduces him as "a true child of Israel," one in whom there is "no duplicity."  How would Jesus describe you/me?  Nathaniel is amazed and says to Jesus: "How do you know me?"  Jesus responds: "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."  Jesus sees you and me wherever we are and  in whatever we are doing!  He knows us more than we know ourselves. As God, Jesus knows what we are thinking before we do and what we might say before we have said it!  God knows us through and through. We are a book, so to speak, in the process of being written and Jesus knows us cover to cover!  Are you/am I aware of this fact?

As with Nathaniel, Jesus uses other people to communicate God's will to us, or uses us to bring truths to other people's attention, truths which He wants people to know and to which He wants their response. Are we listening for God's messages sent to us through others and, also, do we allow God to use us to bring His message to other people?

Another very important fact to note in this Scripture passage is how Nathaniel is changed by His encounter with Jesus!  Immediately, he recognizes and acknowledges who Jesus is! His sarcastic, critical attitude is changed from "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" to a stance of appreciation and  awe: "Wow, look at the good coming from Nazareth!"  How am I, are you, changed in the presence of Jesus?

Building the Kingdom of God

Today's Gospel, Mark 4: 26-34, speaks about the Kingdom of God and that such is "as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow,  he knows not how."   God's Kingdom "sprouts and grow[s]", day by day, night by night! How? By our loving and forgiving one another! By our honesty with one another. By our mercy! By our caring about one another, seeing other people's affliction,  hearing their cries for food, water, clothes; hearing other peoples' cries for justice and truthful living. We sow seeds of the Kingdom of God by, not just knowing what other people are going through but getting out of ourselves to do something that will enhance the life of a person in need. We see God's Kingdom sprouting, blossoming, growing as we witness husband and wife, a grandmother and a grandfather,  loving one another and pouring out that love in self-sacrifice for their children and grandchildren. We see this Kingdom growing by those who give us medical, dental, physical and emotional help; by those in public service who act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with their God (See Micah 6:8) as they provide honest and just service to others.

In what ways am I contributing to the growth of God's Kingdom: Am I sowing seeds of love and justice, mercy, truth, and forgiveness? Or am I living a life of lies, holding grudges, living a narcissistic life, a life of revenge, a  lustful life, a life lacking justice, a life without mercy or love?

God as our Reward, our Recompense

In today's first reading, Isaiah 49: 1-6,  Israel shares the following realization with us: "Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God.... ...I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!"

Think of a time when you felt this way. For instance, you went out of your way fulfilling your responsibilities as a parent, a teacher, a counselor, a leader of your company, a supervisor and your efforts are met with sarcasm, rudeness, and/or meanness.  The person whom you were guiding gently, calmly, and honestly turns against you, lashes out at you, and turns the table on you, accepting no responsibility for the behavior that needs changing.  Imagine yourself leaving that situation and talking to the Lord about your frustration. Imagine also that you providentially open the Bible to Isaiah 49: 1-6 and read: "Though I thought I had toiled in vain and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God.....I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength."

Whenever we encounter difficulties and come away  wondering whether our efforts were for nought, weather we toiled uselessly, we need to remember  that our "reward is with the Lord, [our] recompense is with God." In difficult encounters, it is our responsibility, as Christians, to imitate Jesus' behaviors of compassionate, caring and honest communication. No matter the outcome, if we remained respectful of the other person, kept our cool and were honest about what needs to be addressed, we then can be assured that  "our reward is with the Lord and our recompense is with God." Any desire to retaliate or to angrily force our feedback in efforts to make the other person acknowledge inappropriate behavior dissipates when our focus is on the Lord.

I hope that this has been your experience, also, when encountering challenging episodes in guiding others under your supervision or leadership. May God bless you!

An Instrument in God's Hands

In today's first reading, Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a, we are presented with the story of Joseph, the youngest son of Israel whom Israel loved above all his sons and treated him as his favorite child.  Joseph's brothers grew to hate Joseph and, when Israel sent him to join them in the pasture where they were tending the sheep, they plotted to kill him. Reuben talked them out of doing so and suggested they sell him to Ishmaelites passing by on their way to Egypt. In the Gospel, Mt 21: 33-43, 45-46, we are given the parable of a landowner who planted a vineyard and leased it out to tenants.  At the time of the harvest he sent his servants to collect the produce.  The tenants beat some of the servants and killed others. So the owner sent his only son, believing that he would be respected and the produce given to him. "No!" They also killed the son.

We may respond in disbelief! However, how often have we, behind another's back, spoken ill of another person. Though we may not have plotted to commit murder, we may have "murdered" that person with harsh words and and damning judgments!   Concerning today's Scriptures, we know that God brought good out of both situations. Ruben saves Joseph from being put to death by his brothers and, in turn, Joseph, who was sold to the Israelites on their way to Egypt,  saved his brothers and his father from dying of starvation during a severe famine that hit that area. The son killed by the tenants in the parable Jesus tells the Pharisees is a foreshadow of Jesus being put to death on Calvary.

The questions I need to ponder are: Who am I in these Scripture readings? Israel playing favorites? Joseph who is given special treatment and thus hated by others denied the same favors? one of Joseph's brothers jealous of others, speaking ill of others, plotting against others? Am I a Reuben who intervenes for the sake of others? Am I one of the tenants intent on stealing the produce entrusted to me by another and resorting to whatever it takes to get what I want?  Or am I an upright, honest person, following Jesus' example?

Taking All of our Concerns to the Lord

In today's responsorial psalm, David says to God: "You are my God. In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors."  That is Jeremiah's plea, also, as he realizes that the people are out to kill him. He goes to the Lord in his distress and says to Him: "Heed me, O Lord, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to rake my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them."

Jeremiah and David both have developed a very close relationship with the Lord. They are not hesitant to pour our their souls to the Lord. They are honest with the Lord and speak to Him as to a best friend!  God has, in fact, become their best friend. May you and I, likewise, take all of our sorrows, our joys, our concerns, anxieties, worries to the Lord, trusting that God will act on our behalf, as we act on God's behalf and the behalf of others!

In the Gospels we, also, see how real the apostles are with Jesus. They keep no secrets from the Lord, even begging for privileged positions in Jesus' kingdom.  James and John go to Jesus, to God, as a child goes to his/her father, asking for whatever they desire. Of course, as with James and John and their mother, they are not exactly seeking what Jesus can give them. Neither do we, at times, realize that our motivations need to be purified.  On this journey, like Jesus, we will "drink the chalice" of suffering. James and John both suffered for the Lord's sake. James, in fact shed his blood for the faith! John was exiled because of his preaching about Jesus!  What we do know that as we go through this valley of tears God is at our side, His hand in our hand, guiding us, strengthening us, encouraging us and, when necessary, carrying us through the "turbulent" waters of life.

Faith Tested in the Fires of Purification

In today's first and second readings we encounter two men:  Eleazar, who is willing to give his very life in order to remain faithful to Yahweh and Zaccheaus, a chief tax collector,  who is willing to risk ridicule and the resentment of the crowd in his desire to see Jesus. Eleazar suffers martyrdom at the hands of the king who orders that he submit to a sacrifice ordered by the king's decree that violates the Law of Moses.  Zacchaeus, who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He passes by, is spotted  by Jesus and asked to "come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house."  The crowd grumbles about Jesus, saying: "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." Zaccheaus repents of his wrongdoing, as he cheated the people in his collection of taxes and says to Jesus: "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."  Jesus assures Zacchaeus, saying: "Today salvation has gone to this house...For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

A couple of questions to consider: Would I be willing to sacrifice my life and refuse to violate the law of God, to break the ten Commandments, in the face of being scourged to death by not following a crowd taunting me to do so, as Eleazar was taunted to give in to the king's decree?  Would I, like Zaccheas, risk being ridiculed by a crowd of people, by my family and friends, who know how I have violated other people's rights, or even ridiculed the faith,  and here I am seeking Jesus, even going to extremes to see Him?  Am I willing to do anything it takes to right restore my relationship with Jesus and seek Him above all, no matter what people say of me?  Am willing to reconcile with "an enemy" even when others are taunting me to remain hostile with another person who may have hurt me in some way?  May we have the courage of Eleazar and Zaccheaus in living our faith!

Discerning Good and Evil Spirits

In today's first reading, Wisdom 1; 1-7, we are told that God "is found by those who test him not, and [that God] manifest himself to those who do not disbelieve him. For perverse counsels separate a [person] from God, and [God's] power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy; because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under the debt of sin. For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels;and when injustice occurs it is rebuked."  

Truly, believe,  God is at work in those involved in the presidency of the U.S. and in all those involved in our governing body.  The foolhardy are, I believe, being rebuked. Those who plot evil are being denied wisdom. In those "fleeing discipline" and following "senseless counsels" wisdom has withdrawn its presence.  And, finally, "justice is being rebuked" over and over again. When will we wake up to God at work in our world? Or are we blind because we, too, are "fleeing discipline" and following "senseless counsels", disbelieving in our God, and "plotting evil"?  Are we deaf and blind because we dwell "in a body under the debt of sin" ourselves? Have we separated ourselves from God by believing in "perverse counsels"?

May we remember, at all times, that "God is the witness of [our] inmost self and the sure observer of [our] heart and the listener of [our] tongue. For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows what [you and I and all humans say]. We are who we are before God and no other!

God Reads Our Hearts; Do We?

In today's Gospel, Mark 12:; 13-17, the Pharisees and Herodians set out to trap Jesus. They begin with flattery: "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with another's opinion." They then ask Him: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?" Jesus know that they are trying to trick Him. He sees right through their hypocrisy, so He asks them: "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at."  They do so and Jesus asks them: 'Whose image and inscription is them?'...'Caesar's'. 'Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.'"

We need not be surprised that we encounter hypocrisy and that on some days we ourselves are hypocritical!  Human nature is a false human nature. No one is perfect except God alone. If we encounter a person being hypocritical, we need to be patient and wise. If we ourselves become hypocritical, we, too, need to be patient with ourselves, repent of our wrongdoing and be gentle with our weaknesses. We need to come to the Lord and honestly admit our need for help to honest and upright.

We need to remember that we have been created in the image of God. We belong to God. God loves us as a parent loves his/her children. God, like a wise parent, knows when we are being dishonest, we we are trying to trick another person.  He does not condemn us. He comes to save us from being a plaything of the Father of Lies.

Seeking Peace and Holiness

In today’s first reading, Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11-15, St. Paul instructs us to “[a]lways be wanting peace with all people, and the holiness without which on one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community.”

In this same passage, Paul reminds us that the Lord disciplines his sons and daughters.  The purpose of that discipline is that we may grow in holiness and, thus, not deprive others of the grace of God that gives life to the whole community. That discipline might come from a correction from another or by a disturbance in my relationships or within myself that alerts me that something is not right. I then need to take note and look at what part of the suffering I am causing. And when I discover how I have contributed to the turmoil, I then need to do my part to restore the peace, that is, acknowledge my part and, possibly, apologize.  When I am ranting within myself about something, frustrated and upset and pointing a finger at someone else's role in the commotion, I find it very helpful to say to myself: Dorothy, you have the most to improve.  That helps me let go and embrace the peace God wants to give me.

  At the end of each day, it is also helpful to reflect upon whether or not I have been a source of holiness in the community, that is, have I,  by my love and forgiveness, by my peace and serenity, by my hopefulness and faithfulness to the Gospel, allowed the grace and mercy of God to flow through me into others? Or, on the contrary, have I poisoned the atmosphere by my unresolved anger and bitterness,  by my selfish ambitions and unforgiving stance, by hidden pride lurking in my attitudes or by my hopelessness and disloyalty to the Gospel of Christ?

Personal Identity and One's Unique Purpose

In today’s Gospel, John 1: 19-28, Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to John to find out who he was and why he was baptizing; in other words, to give an account of himself.  When asked “Who are you,” John the Baptist replied: ‘I am not the Christ.’ So they asked him, ‘What are you then? Are you Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?’ He said: ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.’”

John the Baptist knew why he was here.  The answer for him was voiced by the prophet Isaiah.  You and I, too, will find the answer to the question “who are you” written in the Scriptures and then on our hearts.   God says to us, as He said to John the Baptist, “In the wilderness [of life here on earth] prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert [of your life] a highway for our God” (Is 40:3).

 A mother said to me this morning that whenever her daughter came to her with a question, confused about a situation, she would counsel her. After taking the time to truly listen to her and at the end of their conversation, this wise mother would say to her daughter:  “Take your concerns to God.”   In other words, she was saying: “Go talk to God and tell Him everything you just told me.”   How wise! As a teenager, the young lady wrote her mother, this Christmas, a letter thanking her for her wise counsel and voiced her love for her. Truly, this mother knows that she is here on earth to “make straight the way of the Lord,” and direct her children to the Lord, introduce them to God, and teach them to confide in God.

Why are you here?  What is the purpose for which God created you?  May you have the courage, in the beginning of this New Year, to answer those questions and, if necessary, to make key changes in your perspective of why God sustains you in existence each day!  Truly, then, as John says to us in today first reading, 1 John 2: 22-28, you will have “confidence and not be put to shame by him (Jesus) at his coming” (1 John 2: 28).

What's on the Inside of our "Cups"

In today's Gospel, Luke 11: 37-41,  Jesus confronts the Pharisees for cleansing the outside of the cup while the inner self is filled with evil!  God sees what is inside of each one of us! As I was meditating my mind went to asking: what's on the inside of so-and-so and so-and-so?  "Wait a minute," I said to myself! Jesus is talking to you! What evil exist within you? Pride? Envy? Jealousy? Prejudice? Any hatred? any sexism? Any racism? Selfishness?  Cleanse your inner self, Dorothy Ann (insert your name)!  God alone is judge! God alone sees what is in each person's heart! The task and work that each of us needs to do is repent--come to the Lord repentant and humble of heart, knowing that God alone saves us and knows what our motivations are, even before we do!

Lord, have mercy on each of us, especially when we act as judge of someone else!

Who are you and whose are you?

In today’s Gospel,  John 1: 19-28, John is approached by leading citizens of his day, wondering who he is.  “Who are you?” John immediately clears the air, as he knows that they are searching for the Anointed One, the promised Messiah.  He says: “I am not the Christ.” They continue to press him to reveal his identity. “What are you then? Are you Elijah?....Are you the Prophet?”  He answers an emphatic “no” to each of those questions.   “What,” then, “do you have to say for yourself?”  “ I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.”

“What do you have to say for yourself?” I recall being asked that question by my parents when I had done something of which they disapproved.  I stood there filled with shame for the wrongdoing I had done. In the first reading,  1 John 2: 22-28, John encourages us to “remain in him [in Christ Jesus], so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.” Part of remaining in Jesus is remaining on the path to truth, listening to the Spirit’s guidance and, not only hearing that voice, but doing what the Spirit directs us to do.  “If what…[I] heard from the beginning [that Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth, that Jesus came to save us, that He comes to us in the sacraments, hidden in the consecrated bread and wine, active in the Scriptures] remains in…[me], then…[I] will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he had made us: eternal life.” 

I do believe, Lord. Help my unbelief!

The truth spoken

A friend of mind sent me the following email. I am sharing it with all of you, as Minister Joe Wright did not water down the truth that needs to be told!

This is absolutely great ! ! ! There might be hope yet! A Pastor with GUTS! Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people... When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
your forgiveness and to seek your direction and
guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those
who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it
the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it
welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it
choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it
justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our
children and called it building self-esteem..

We have abused power and called it
politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and
pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values
of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!

----------------------

The response was immediate. A number of
legislators walked out during the prayer in
protest.

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian
Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than
5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls
responding negatively.. The church is now receiving
international requests for copies of this prayer
from India , Africa and Korea .

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep
over our nation and wholeheartedly become our
desire so that we again can be called

'one nation under God.'

Jesus' Honesty, Sensivity and Mercy

In today’s Gospel, Mark 10: 1-12, a crowd gathered around Jesus and, as usual, He uses this opportunity to instruct them.  In that crowd are Pharisees who are following Him, not to hear His instructions, but to test Him.   Jesus is direct with them when they question Him about divorce and reminds them that Moses allowed divorce because of the “hardness of your hearts.”  When I am harassing Jesus for an answer to my questions, is it that I am unaware of the hardness of my heart and that I am not honestly seeking the Lord but looking to be justified, trying to prove my superiority, my self-righteousness.? Are my motives questionable? 

Jesus reminds the Pharisees that, “from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”   How profoundly beautiful!  How significant the graces of the sacrament of Matrimony that empower a man and a woman to commit to one another “in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, to remain faithful in their love for one another, to  work through the difficulties they encounter in their marriage, relying upon the Spirit to counsel them, guide them, enlighten them and strengthen in living out their marriage vows.

What about those persons whose marriage ends in divorce?  What about those who commit adultery and are unfaithful to one another?  Jesus does not condemn these persons, as we learn in His response to the woman who is dragged in front of Him and whose accusers are ready to stone her.  Jesus confronts her accusers and says to them: Those of you without sin cast the first stone. All walk away and Jesus says to the woman: Has anyone condemned you? She says “no”.  His reply:  And I don’t condemn you either. Go and sin no more!  Jesus is challenging her  and her accusers to learn from the mistakes they have made. Likewise, He challenges us to learn from our mistakes and to move on to living  in accord with God’s law of love and forgiveness, honesty and humility, fidelity and truth.

"Wooden Beams" or "Splinters"

In today’s Gospel, Luke 6: 39-42, Jesus challenges us concerning assuming the position of judging others, of noticing “the splinter” in our brothers’ or sisters’ eyes but not seeing “the wooden beam” in our own.  “You hypocrite,” Jesus says, “[r]emove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s [sister’s] eye.”
In the first reading, 1 Timothy 1: 1-2, 12-14, we hear of Paul, from whom the Lord Himself removed the wooden beam obstructing His vision of who Jesus is. Paul expresses gratitude to the Lord that he was set free from his blindness and considered worthy to be Christ’s ambassador, a bearer of the Good News of  salvation to us Gentiles.  He admits that before his conversion he was “a blasphemer,” “a persecutor” and an “arrogant man.”  God was merciful to him, he states, because he “acted out of ignorance” in “his disbelief.”   “Indeed,” he says, “the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
What “wooden beams” do I need to take out of my eye?  From what blindness do I need healing?  Who do I persecute by my arrogance? About whose “splinter” do I gossip while being blind to the huge pieces of wood blurring my vision? Like Paul, I, too, know that many times I act out of ignorance—“Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing”—but at other times I know that I am being arrogant and a persecutor of other persons by my silence, perhaps, or by speaking behind their backs or simply not being honest with them in ways that would remove obstructions to our growth in love, in honesty, in respect and integrity.