Epiphany of the Lord

Today's feast speaks of the manifestation or revelation of the Lord to the Gentiles which is what the overwhelming majority of Catholics are. This, technically speaking, is our Christmas moment whereas the messianic Jews, who adhere to the Mosaic law while recognising Jesus to be the Messiah promised in the Scriptures, have for themselves the epiphany made to the shepherds on Christmas night. Their epiphany was brought about through the angels who announced the birth of the Lord. The wise men, for their part, begin their journey to Jesus through their use of ancient science and natural reason. Crucially they recognise the limits on their knowledge and their need of supernatural revelation through the prophecies of the Jewish Scriptures. Herod, who was son of an Idumean father and an Arab mother, uses the Scripture also but for evil ends in his attempt to locate and kill the infant Jesus - born to be King of the Jews. When we look at our own journey of faith we can see that people encounter God and come to faith in Jesus Christ in different ways: prayer, moral conduct, reading the Bible, teachings of the Pope, lives of the saints, the example given by Catholics of their acquaintance, Catholic schools, personal revelation, etc. All of them, regardless of the ways in which they came to faith, need to have the courage to journey so as to find and encounter Christ for themselves, acknowledge him with joy and pay him homage. The gifts we bring are the assent of the faith, the love of our hearts and the bouquet of good deeds.

Mary, Mother of God

The Second Reading today is admirable for its brevity yet profundity. In four verses of text the process of Incarnation, adoption and divinisation is summarized. All of these were necessary so the damage inflicted on humans relationship with God, inflicted by the disobedience of our first parents, might be not only healed but transformed. Jesus is born of a woman, thereby taking on our nature, pours out from the Cross the Holy Spirit, also manifested at Pentecost, so that we might take on the divine nature. Already created in the "image and likeness of God" (Gen 1: 26) we are offered the gift of sharing in the life of God, with its power over sin and death, revealed in the Resurrection. This happens through faith: "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he (Christ) gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God." (Jn 1: 12) 

The consent of Mary of Nazareth was vital to this whole mystery as God would not force salvation upon us. Rather, he willed to save us out of an obedience and love freely given. Mary's "yes" was a form of death for her as she willingly gave up control of her life by submitting completely to God's plan such that she stood at the foot of the Cross to suffer with him. Since she became Mother of God, by conceiving her divine Son, it means, as St Paul points out, that we can cry out "Abba! Father!" (Gal. 4: 6). The corollary of this is that we can therefore cry out "Mary, Mother" and thus share in Mary's joy and love. In baptism we are made children of God: "Dearly beloved, this child has been reborn in baptism. He (she) is now called the child of God, for so indeed he (she) is." (Liturgy for the Baptism of an Infant). Mary's role does not end in her physical/spiritual motherhood since through her virtues she is our exemplar and through her intercession she is our most powerful spiritual aid. 

Pope Paul VI wrote when he declared Mary Mother of the Church: "Mary is the Mother of the Church not only because she is the Mother of Christ and His most intimate associate in "the new economy when the Son of God took a human nature from her, that He might in the mysteries of His flesh free man from sin," but also because "she shines forth to the whole community of the elect as a model of the virtues."... The Holy Virgin, in fact, though rejoicing in the union of the august Trinity, does not forget her Son's advancing, as she herself did in the "pilgrimage of the faith". Indeed, contemplating them in God and clearly seeing their necessities, in communion with Jesus Christ, "who continues forever and is therefore able at all times to intercede for them," she makes herself their Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix and Mediatrix." (Signum Magnum, Part I). Rightly, then, we honour her with great filial affection on this Solemnity.

Christmas Message

Recently I was driving in my car and I heard on the radio the song Santa Claus is Coming to Town sung by Bruce Springsteen. Some of the lyrics go like this:

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list,
He's checking it twice,
He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
And he knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

As jolly as the music may be the lyrics are opposed to the Christian idea of Christmas. The inspiration for Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, was famous for giving gifts to the poor and undeserving anonymously. The Gospel speaks of God as the best of fathers: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Mtt 7: 10-11) Not only that, he sends his gifts on people regardless of their worthiness: “... for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mtt 5: 45)

The coming of Christ is all about grace – the undeserved kindness of God: “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that  in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2: 4-9)

Mass at Christmas gives us an opportunity to name grace at work in our lives and to give thanks for it. The primary place for this is in our families which are gifts from God since we do not choose them and yet, whether linked by blood ties or not, we feel profound love, nostalgia and gratitude at this time. In fact, many people who do not share in the Christian faith, would say that Christmas, for them, is all about family. Isn’t it amazing how these seemingly random collections of human beings are a cause for such deeply felt emotions?

We can also think of the grace we have experienced through our church family especially if we  are without relatives close to us at this time. In fact, we can be brought to know, in a very special way, how we are called to be instruments of grace to others and a dwelling place for the divine: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together spiritually into the dwelling place of God” (Eph. 2: 19-22)

Thanks to Christ we all belong and we all matter. 

Happy Christmas everyone!

4th Sunday of Advent

Today we get two different responses to subjective revelation. One descendant of King David, King Ahaz in Jerusalem, receives a message from God and refuses to even contemplate it. The other, a humble builder/carpenter (Gk tekton) in Nazareth, encounters an angel from the Lord in a dream and acts on the information given him. In fact, the man we know as St Joseph is a man of action who does not utter a word in the whole of Scripture (note that it is Mary who speaks when they find Jesus in the Temple) yet his actions are pivotal in ensuring that Jesus is kept safe and grows up in a stable household. The major difference between the two men is that Joseph is a "righteous man." He has always sought to do God's will and he does so on this occasion even at considerable personal cost and anguish. He is humble yet decisive. Sometimes we feel prompted to do things yet we cannot understand what God is asking of us or what the consequences will be. Nevertheless, we must have the courage to act in accord with the Gospel and in good conscience when prompted by the Holy Spirit or other forms of spiritual influence. Spiritual direction is helpful but it is useless for me unless I have a desire to be obedient to the Lord.  

3rd Sunday of Advent

Today is often referred to in the liturgy as Gaudete Sunday. This is taken from the Entrance Antiphon from the Roman Missal for the Third Sunday of Advent: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near." (Lat. Gaudete in Domino semper. Iterum dico: Gaudete! ... Dominus prope) (Phil. 4: 4-5) It signals a change from the more penitential start to Advent, which focussed on the Second Coming of Christ, to look forward to the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas. Hence, the rose colour of the vestments which moderates the severity of the purple. A question I can ask myself is whether I feel joy in my life? Also, where does that joy come from? Paul exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord. We are not told to rejoice in gifts, tinsel, large meals, Christmas trees, etc even family. The joy we feel in Christ cannot be taken from us. It is the gift of Christmas just as peace is the gift of the resurrection. Regardless of my personal circumstances I pray we can all join with Our Lady in saying: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant." (Lk 1: 46-48) 

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is one of the great celebrations of how God honoured Mary of Nazareth such that: "Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed." (Lk 1: 48) This feast affirms that Mary was conceived without the stain of Original Sin. This sin, incurred by our original parents, is part of the human condition and means that we are born with a damaged relationship with God and capacity to live according to his law. For most of us the healing of this wound is brought about through baptism. The Rite of Baptism for Infants states: "We pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her)." For Mary this was a reality from the moment of her conception, which occurred in the usual way. This feast has a long history however it was made a Holy Day of Obligation as late as 1708 and declared to be a dogma of the Church on 8 December 1854. The mystery of God's grace and action in the world is indeed a profound one and this is the case in the life of Our Lady. The mystery is made even more awesome when we consider that the woman who appeared to the fourteen year old peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous, at Lourdes on 25 March 1858, was asked the question: "Would you kindly tell me who you are?" "Bernadette repeated her question twice more, and then the Lady, joining her hands on her breast and raising her eyes to heaven answered: 'Que soy era Immaculado Conceptiou,' 'I am the Immaculate Conception.' " (Taken from Butler's Lives of the Saints, Vol I) 

2nd Sunday of Advent

Saint Paul tells us: "For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy." (Rom 15: 8-9) This speaks of a plan, reaching back to the dawn of humanity, with God as the planner: "With all wisdom and insight he (God) has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up  all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." (Eph. 1: 8-10) He invites human beings to accomplish his purposes so that the divisions and distortions brought about through sin might be ended and a new reality of unity and harmony established. The question today is: where I can locate myself in that plan? Do I accept that despite the uncertainties and confusion evident in my own life and in the world around me that Providence is at work to bring God's plan to fulfilment. When we read the Old Teastament we see that God was not frustrated by the evil and weaknesses of the Jewish people to bring about the Incarnation. Likewise, he will not be frustrated by the corruption and selfishness of the world that rejects him today. Just as in the time of John the Baptist, so now he wants individuals to cooperate with him even if they are called to be a prophetic witness to the Pharisees and Sadducees of today.  

1st Sunday of Advent

The Gospel tells us: "Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Mtt 24: 42) I was in Wellington during the recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake which occurred just after midnight. I was certainly awake after that as the aftershocks occurred and the tsunami alert was issued. I wondered what would happen next. What did I need to do should the situation deteriorate. In the light of this, I can ask myself whether I have the same attitude to my faith life? The relationship I have with God is far more important than other aspects of my life since it is the one thing that will last for eternity. My body, earthquake or not, will at some point die. As we begin the season of Advent let us use it as a prompt to awake ourselves to God in our lives and our need to be always ready to encounter him whether it is in life or in death. If the Lord were to return today how would he find me? The time I have is an opportunity to live as God has called me to live and therefore be at peace rejoicing in the truth. Scripture tells us: "But do not ignore this fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed." (2 Pet 3: 8-10) 

Feast of Christ the King

When we think of the horror and scandal of the Cross today's reading from the Letter of Paul to the Colossians is made all the more extraordinary. How is it that he who was thought to be the son of a tradesman from Gallilee can have such claims made for him?: "Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Col. 1: 15), and, "Christ is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Col. 1: 17) True, we can have Jesus as our brother, a teacher, a miracle worker, a sage and many other things, however, we should never forget that he, indeed, is Lord and master. When we feel outnumbered, dispirited and afflicted by our sufferings, our sins or the sins of others we can take comfort from the knowledge that, in his pre-existence and through his resurrection, Christ is King of the Universe - past, present and future. In the Book of Revelation he reassures us: "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades." (Rev. 1: 18-19) Nevertheless, the Kingdom of God is only present to us now in sacrament and mystery. We need to be patient to see the full glory of Jesus and the harvest of the Spirit. To do this we must strive to live in the truth and respond to it: "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.' Pilate asked him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice'." (Jn 18: 36-37) 

  

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the Gospel the disciples, some of whom may have been on their first ever visit to Jerusalem as a follower of Jesus, gaze in awe at the beauty and magnificence of the Temple. We can, I think, put in the place of the Temple any of the natural or man-made wonders of the world. The whole of Creation will at some point come to an end. The physicists speak of the inevitable contraction and destruction of the Universe which will most likely happen long after our own Sun has burnt itself out. The Second Coming, which may or may not happen in my lifetime, will also presage a destruction but not one that ends with a black hole rather it will lead to a new Creation. What will be destroyed is death itself. Saint Paul writes: "Then comes the end, when he (Jesus) hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler  and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all things under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Cor. 15: 24-26) Regardless of our material circumstances and the glamour of the world, therefore, we are confident of the inheritance that God has for all who trust in him and live in accordance with his commandments. "So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. Fos this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal." (2 Cor. 4: 16-18)

Homily for 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thank God for foolish questions! What would happen if people had not challenged Jesus? What if everyone had believed what he taught and did not give him opportunity to elaborate on it? This is especially the case with the Resurrection which is one of the greatest mysteries. Indeed, you could say that it is the most important. Saint Paul wrote to the community in Corinth: “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished.” (1 Cor. 15: 16-18)

So, what is the Resurrection? How does it work? The Corinthians had questions just as we do. For us it is central to our faith and we need to know about it. It is said that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Mind you, occasionally there are answers that make the questioner feel stupid.

The intention of the Sadducees, who were a Jewish group comprised of rich families associated with the High Priest, was to make Jesus look stupid. They wanted to mock him and discredit him in the eyes of the people by coming up with a deliberately foolish scenario. Instead, as he had already done with the Pharisees, Jesus turns the tables on them and gives us, at the same time, insight into the Resurrection. Let us look closely to see what he had to say:

First, Jesus makes it clear that the resurrection does not consist in a replica of our present life. Aspects of life, such as marriage, we are familiar with now no longer apply. Questions about what people look like or what they eat will not be relevant. Anything that admits of change will pass away. The only thing to remain will be those things which are transformed by God’s power.

Second, once people have risen there is no longer any possibility of them dying again. They will last for eternity. Like angels they will exist in the presence of God. There is no “Plan B” for God or idea of reincarnation for thhosde wanting a “second chance” at life.

Third, Resurrection is a birth into a new reality. Being reborn we become children of God, children of the resurrection. This means we cannot at the same time be “children of the Evil One, children of death.”

Fourth, although the term “resurrection” is not used in the Torah, which includes the first five books of the Bible accepted by the Saducees, there is indirect evidence for the resurrection in words spoken to Moses in the Book of Exodus. God, who is revealed as being eternally present, is shown as continuing to be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Resurrection has been a part of God’s plan from the beginning as he wants the human race to share his life. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Saint Paul tells the Romans: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8: 38-39)

Fifth, to God all people are alive. We cannot escape God through physical death rather all of us will live in eternity. What remains to be decided by me is how I will experience that eternity. Will I experience it as bliss, communion and infinite joy together with all I have loved throughout my life or will it be for me a state of regret, anger and resentment at the God who summoned me into existence in the first place?

Would Adolf Hitler feel happy to experience eternity together with all the Jews, Poles, priests, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Gypsies, Social Democrats, etc that he had tortured and murdered in this life?

Since the Mass is a sign and sacrament of the worship of heaven how I will experience the resurrection is indicated by how I experience church here and now. The question for me is: do I sense the in breaking of God’s life here and now? Do I welcome it? Am I already conformed to the life I will anticipate in the reality of the Resurrection? What is within my heart? Is it light or darkness? Saint John tells us: “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 Jn: 1: 5) How then can I know I love God, walking in the light, when I can’t see God? John goes on later to write: “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.” (1 Jn 4: 20)

The Resurrection, therefore, may be in the future and different from our present reality however the way I deal with God and my life now will endure for eternity. That is why we turn our hearts to God and pray we do not take with us into the resurrection the things that have cause us and others pain. Eternity is a very long time.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today Jesus tells us: "Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." (Lk 20: 38) In this instance he is referring directly to Abraham Isaac and Jacob however when we think of "all" it can be taken as the whole of the human race. That all human beings, alive or dead, from Adam and Eve onwards, are all alive to God is fitting but also mind boggling. It means that in the Mass, when we come into the presence of God, we are also present in a mysterious way to all of those who have preceded us in this life. We acknowledge this at the close of the preface to the Eucharistic Prayer when the priest says: "And so, with the company of Angels and Saints, we sing the hymn of your praise, as without end we acclaim" (EP for the Dead IV) The Mass is a sacrifice efficacious for both the living and the dead. The Council of Trent taught: "And forasmuch as, in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the mass, that same Christ is contained and immolated in an unbloody manner, who once offered Himself in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross; the holy Synod teaches, that this sacrifice is truly propitiatory and that by means thereof this is effected, that we obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid, if we draw nigh unto God, contrite and penitent, with a sincere heart and upright faith, with fear and reverence." (Chapter II on the Sacrifice of the Mass) We should, therefore, have confidence in the Mass as a wonderful source of mercy and love not only for ourselves but also for loved ones died afflicted with sorrows, sins and regrets unresolved at the time of death.

31st Week in Ordinary Time

The story of Zacchaeus is familiar to most Mass-goers especially to those who have been to numerous First Reconciliation celebrations or those of  Rite II of Reconcilation. As a result it is a challenge for a preacher to say something new nevertheless we can always mine a nugget of insight from a closer reading of the text. It strikes me today that Jesus feels a sense of urgency and obligation to relate to Zacchaeus even before the man has spoken a word: "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." (Lk 19: 5) This reminds me of the explanation of the father to the elder brother in the parable of the Prodigal: "But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found." (Lk 15: 32) God, it seems, is impelled by the force of his own infinite comapassion and love to be merciful. He will brook no delay! God is not a reluctant giver and does not wait for us to return. Instead he runs to me us and invites himself to a party that we did not even realise that we were going to have yet! What an amazing, joyful and generous Lord we have who watches out for our return to him and summons us to celebrate with him the new life that he offers each one of us every time we repent of our sins. This prompts us to generosity of our own. May we also be blessed to hear the words: "Today salvation has come to this house" (Lk 19: 9) during this Year of Mercy. 

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel today we hear that the Pharisee, "standing by himself, was praying thus" (Lk 18: 11 NRSV version). The literal translation, which I prefer, is "praying to himself." In this way it is clear that the Pharissee is not praying at all! He is slapping himself on the back and reinforcing his self-righteousness by passing judgment on the tax collector. God has nothing to do with his "prayer" especially when we consider a definition of prayer is "to raise one's heart and mind to God."  Not only that the Phariseee is standing where everyone can see him so he can appear pious in their sight. The tax collector, for his part, is marginalised where few people can see him "standing far off" (Lk 18: 13) Yet, he is the one doing the praying as he implores: "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" (Lk 18: 13) We are all in need of God's mercy: "For there is no distinction , since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rm 3: 23), and, "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned we make him (God) a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 Jn 1: 8-9) As we near the conclusion of the Year of Mercy let us uproot all self-righteousness from our hearts and, like the tax collector, approach with humility the throne of grace.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we hear: "Jesus told the disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart." (Lk 18: 1) This text recognises that prayer needs to be an ongoing and integrated aspect of our everyday life. Not only that, we are also made aware, as if we need any reminding, that we can become disheartened and inclined to give up on our prayers. How can this temptation be avoided? True, Jesus recommends that we should pray alone in private (Mtt 6: 6) nevertheless it remains that since we are encouraged to pray "Our Father" (Mtt 6: 9), rather than "My Father," we are also linked with others who pray to the Father even when we are alone. Jesus also tells us: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (Mtt 18: 20) We are always helped, therefore, when we pray with others. This may be as part of a prayer group, prayer chain, attending Mass or simply by informing someone that I am praying for them. Sometimes I am at Mass primarily for myself and my own spiritual/emotional needs while on other occasions I pray for others and their needs. Furthermore, if we accept God as the best of fathers, who knows what we want before we ask it of him, then we will more readily trust in him (Mtt 7: 7-11). This helps us to recognise the graces we have received: "You received without payment; give without payment." (Mtt 10: 8) and that all we need is a small amount of faith and nothing will be impossible for us (Mtt 17: 20). We should, finally, accept that we are not required to be experts in theology or spirituality to persist in prayer rather it suffices to have a relationship of intimate trust and gratitude with the Father who truly loves us: "At that time Jesus said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you  have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him'. " (Mtt 11: 25-27) 

28th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus asks the healed Samaritan: "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?" (Lk 17: 17) I think we can detect some hurt feelings on Jesus' part. Remember that Jesus is fully human. Certainly, he possessed extraordinary attributes of healing, prayer and teaching yet his feelings could be hurt. He never asks for money or any other recognition. In fact, in the Gospel of Mark, he discourages people from telling others about what he has done for them (eg. Mk 1: 44). Yet, we see time and again that he is angered or hurt but a lack of gratitude, especially on the part of his own people, and their hardness of heart (eg. Mk 3: 5, Mk 6: 6, Mtt 9: 4 and Mtt 11: 20-24, etc). He expresses frustration at people's lack of faith: "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you" (Mtt 17: 17) and "And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?" (Lk 18: 8). Today he asks: "Was none of them (the lepers) found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Lk 17: 18) Jesus longs for us to respond to his love as he did with the people of Jerusalem: "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Mtt 23: 37) We should always remember the love that God has for us and use this to prompt us to loving conduct towards others as well as going to Mass on Sunday to offer God thanks, praise and worship. Saint Paul wrote: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender hearted and forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Eph 4: 30-5: 2)   

Further to the blurb for 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Further to the blurb for 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time I would like to add that, although the Eucharist is efficacious for the forgiveness of venial or minor sins, Catholics, to be in good conscience, are required to repent of serious or grave sins before receiving Holy Communion:

Canon 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

The holiness of the Eucharist demands our love and respect. This applies to every aspect of our activity within the church building: comportment, language, clothing, bowing or genuflecting to the tabernacle, conversation, attitude to others, fasting before Mass, consideration of others, control of children, etc. That society as a whole is less respectful and more casual is no excuse for Catholics to be lax in their behaviour especially towards the Blessed Sacrament.

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel today makes me think about how we respond to God in faith, especially when prayers are answered. It is first of all necessary to be conscious of praying for particular and identifiable situations. Every time I go to Mass I need to articulate, at least in my own mind, a specific intention to bring before the Lord. It is only in the light of subsequent events that I can then be aware that a prayer has been answered! Sometimes my prayer is answered in ways I had not imagined or I realise that I have prayed for something which was self-indulgent or selfish. Then the words of Saint James may occur to me: "You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures." (Jm 4: 2-3) The fruit of an answered prayer is gratitude, joy and wonder. It is not to be found in an attitude of entitlement. It does not make me feel superior to others or incline me to compare myself favorably to them. How can I avoid such attitudes? James words, again, are of help: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (Jm 4: 7-10)

Reflection from Retreat

While on retreat last week this reflection from St. John Henry Newman's "Meditations and Devotions" struck me as being particularly powerful:

                         To possess thee, O Lover of my soul, is happiness,
                         and the only happiness of the immortal soul!
                         To enjoy the sight of thee is the only happiness of eternity.
                         At present I might amuse myself with the vanities of sense and time,
                         but they will not last for ever.
                         We shall be stripped of them when we pass out of this world.
                         All shadows will one day be gone.
                         And what shall I do then?
                         There will be nothing left to me but Almighty God.
                         If I cannot take pleasure in the thought of him,
                         there is no one else then to take pleasure in;
                         God and my soul will be the only two beings left in the whole world
                         so far as I am concerned.
                         He will be all in all, whether I wish it or no.
                         What a strait I shall then be in if I do not love him,
                          and there is nothing else to love!

                          

First Communion

First Communion is always a special time for children, family and the parish. Youngsters, most of whom were baptised as infants, now come forward under their own steam to receive the Lord. In this age we tend to emphasise the ecclesial nature of receiving Holy Communion. As a result, we do not stress the need for a pure conscience as a pre-condition to receiving the Host and the Precious Blood. This is evident in the low numbers of people frequenting the confessional on Saturday mornings. This I think is a positive things as the Eucharist is not a reward for good behaviour but is itself a means of reconciliation and healing. We tend to look at how the Eucharist binds us as Church and focus on our willingness to participate in her mission as members of the Body of Christ.  Nevertheless, the Eucharist does continually challenge us to repent of our sins and to strive to live a better life. As a Communion sacrament, a sacrifice sacrament and a meal sacrament it is a great mystery yet we can know this for certain - it is an encounter with Christ. Whether we respond to this reality as Mary and Martha, Peter, Zacchaeus, Nicodemus or others did in the Gospels depends on us. Whatever my situation is the Eucharist should never leave me unchanged. Even if that means I leave Church feeling gratitude and joy for being blessed with faith and embark on my week with a light heart I can be assured that the Eucharist is at work in me. 

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we hear about the Rich Man (or Dives as he is called sometimes) and Lazarus. I think that we are often tempted to see this parable as referring to others. To apply it to ourselves is discomforting. Often we do not think of ourselves as rich. We think of others who have more than us. Perhaps, Dives would have said that too as he looked at Herod and the High Priest, or even the Roman Emperor himself, in comparison. Yet, it remains, Dives is in torment and Lazarus is in paradise. Imagine looking at things from the point of view of Lazarus today. Individually, would he look at me as rich, or collectively, would he, as a nation, look at New Zealand as rich, acting as Dives did? Dives dressed, ate and lived in luxury without a thought for Lazarus to whom he gave nothing. Even, tormented in flames in Hell, he thinks of Lazarus as his servant and of Abraham as his father. Such self-indulgence, arrogance and disregard for others is clearly noxious to God, so much so, that there is a great chasm fixed between Abraham and Dives which no one can cross. Is there a chasm in my heart? Do I wallow in entitlement and self-justification? For Dives it was too late but for me I can bridge the chasm, here and now, through prayer, mercy and almsgiving. Selfless acts of mortification mean we die to Dives and live to Christ. 

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus speaks to us today about the danger of greed. It not only distorts the minds and lives of those who are greedy but also brings misery and suffering to those whom they exploit with their schemes. Those afflicted by greed are never satisfied. Like most sins it has a compulsive element to it that robs life of pleasure. The individual is enmeshed in the consequence of his or her own obsessions and is ultimately shown to worship a false God. St Paul tells us: "Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly... greed (which is idolatry)." (Col. 3: 5) Jesus is unequivocal: "You cannot serve God and wealth." (Lk. 16: 13) Greed, in turn, leads to death: "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6: 23). If we are slaves to greed our end is certain not only after after death but also in the here and now. Some people can even be said to be dead while they are alive. Just as narcotics can consume people and hollow them out so too can the desire for money and the possessions we can obtain with it bring desolation and sadness. How can I know satisfaction? How can I avoid the addiction of possessions and aspiration? The fourth of the Beatitudes taught by Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, promises: "Blessed  are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Mtt 5: 6) 

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The parable of the Prodigal is one of the most memorable and powerful of Jesus' parables. I think it grows in effect if we place it in continuity with the shorter parables that precede it and keep in mind the audience that listened to it. The self-righteous, judgmental Pharisees and scribes were obsessed with legal and ritual purity. They had no desire to help or empathise with the tax collectors and sinners. Rather their impulse was to condemn Jesus for associating with the the objects of their scorn. What a contrast we get with the joy of the shepherd who searches out the lost sheep and the woman who finds her lost coin! On both occasions they say "Rejoice with me." (Lk 15: 6 and 9) Similarly the father of the Prodigal says the the Elder Brother: "... we had to celebrate and rejoice." (Lk 15: 32) This challenges me to ask what my attitude is towards people who struggle morally or religiously as well as those who try to help them. Do I condemn the helpers? If the person repents do I rejoice? If I am filled with such joy then I am in tune with the mind of God and the angels: "Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Lk 15: 10) Even better, will that joy give me the inclination to reach out to people who struggle and show them the kind of love illustrated by the father as he welcomed back his son: "But while he was still far off his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him." (Lk 15: 20) 

Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus says: "For which of you intending to build a tower..."? (Lk 14:28) The question I can ask myself is what tower am I building? What is the project of my life? When I look at other day to day aspects of my life I automatically do a cost/benefit analysis yet am I capable of doing that with the "big picture"? What is ultimately at stake is salvation and the judgement that will be made of my life, not in the eyes of my neighbours and friends, but of the Lord: "For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Cor. 5: 10) It is clear from the Gospel that whatever we have in prospect on earth fades into comparison with what is in store for us in the life to come: "For this slight momentary afflication is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what we can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal." (2 Cor. 4: 17-18) Let us never forget that our destination is not of this world but our experience of it will be affected by what we do in this world. The stakes are high. Jesus warns us: "For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mk 8: 36-38)

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

When we read the Gospel it pays to remember that the designation "Pharisee" is not fixed in time, applying only to members of that sect among the Jews. Even by the time of St Luke the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 meant that the whole Jewish religious landscape had changed. The term "Pharisee" functions to refer to a misguided disciple in need of correction. Thus, it pays for us as disciples, who tend to get things wrong, mixed up or out of proportion, to test the authenticity of our discipleship by applying what is said by Jesus to the Pharisees to ourselves. Today Jesus teaches: "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends (etc) ... in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid." (Lk 14: 12) Is it the case that all of my hospitality is directed towards people who I like and who will reciprocate? How often am I generous or welcoming to people who cannot repay me and who give me no social advantage? Maybe I should, in this Year of Mercy, make an effort to offer hospitality to someone who is not in my social circle. "And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Lk 14: 14)  

Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today an anxious voice from the crowd asks Jesus: "Lord, will only a few be saved?" (Lk 13: 22) This question still has resonance for many people today even though it seems that many people are indifferent to the salvation of their souls. You just need to watch some ot the tele-evangelists to see that. The horrible possibility of eternal damnation, considering the awesome holiness of God in comparison to our own sin, makes it seem likely that we will not enjoy the Beatific Vision. Interestingly, Jesus does not give a direct answer or a number. His response is to encourage us to strive for holiness and never give up: "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and not be able." (Lk 13: 24) Living in accord with God's commandment of love is not easy. It is the case that we should not always look for the easy way out of our obligations or depend on others faith or prayers. God our Father has children; he does not have grandchildren! We need to come to faith; we need to pray; we need to go to Mass on Sunday; we need to give alms and act with mercy towards others. Our complacency or presumption, simply because we have encountered the Gospel, will not help us: "Then you wil begin to say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But the Lord will say, 'I do not know where you come from; go away from me all you evildoers!' " (Lk 13: 26-27) We need to make a personal faith response, however, we can do so trusting that God wills that everybody be saved: "(God) who desires everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2: 3-4) The default setting of the Universe is salvation. This is because it is the will of the God who created it in the first place.

The Feast of the Assumption

This year the bishops of New Zealand have transferred the Feast of the Assumption, which is the patronal feast of this country, to Sunday so that all Catholics will have the maximum opportunity to encounter this mystery of the Church. Why would the bishops make such a big deal of this feast? Some people would criticise it as being non-Scriptural or that it detracts from the celebration of the Resurrection which is proper to every Sunday. I think that the bishops are right in holding this great feast, made a doctrine in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, in front of our eyes. Jesus, the Word made flesh, is risen. We can understand that of him and yet we are tempted to distance ourselves from him and make of him an exception. The resurrection of the body surely can't apply to us mere mortals! Yet, St Paul tells us: " ... for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then as his coming those who belong to Christ." (1 Cor. 22-23) Where the head is the body will surely follow. Through baptism we are made members of that Body. Our Lady, human like us, however takes precedence. She enjoyed, immediately upon her death, the priviledge experiencing the ressurection in full. In this she, through her obedience and perfect charity, is the pathfinder for us in hope. We can pray that through imitation of her virtues and with the help of her intercession we too will ultimately enjoy in body and spirit the fulness of peace and joy in the resurrection.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus says to the disciples: "Do not be afraid little flock, for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Lk 12: 32) It was the case then and it is the same now. The disciples are a "little flock." The number of Christians around the world numbers about two billion however, especially in countries as secularized as New Zealand, those who practise the faith seem to be a very small flock indeed. Surrounded by an indifferent society and the rampant effects of abortion, divorce, suicide, drug abuse, poverty, inequality, racism, etc we can often feel not only small but also fearful. Will we have enough priests? How can we pass on the faith to the next generation? How will we pay for the upkeep of our church buildings, especially those that are earthquake prone? What about Islamic terrorism? The answer of the Gospel is to trust in the Father. It has pleased him, the ineffable Majesty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, to look kindly on those who follow his Son. We do not need to win the Kingdom through our own efforts. The Father has seen fit to give it to us. What we need to do is love him in return for his love and obey his commandments.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanity, all is vanity." The First Reading today points out the futility of working long and hard for the fruits of our labours only for them to be enjoyed by others after our deaths. Working so hard that our lives are filled with worry and stress that we get no sleep - this, too, is foolishness. In the Gospel reading Jesus attacks greed and accumulation of wealth, again, vanity. If all of this, which is so valued by the world, is vanity what counts? What is it that really matters? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus declared: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mtt 6: 19-21) The question I can ask myself is where, indeed, is my treasure? If I am working hard or accumulating wealth what is the purpose of it all? If my relatives and friends came to pack up my things and account for my assets after my sudden death what will they find? Will they read thank you cards given to acknowledge my generosity and encounter the tears of those bereaved by my passing or will they find a pile of useless trinkets and unspent money to be picked over by others like vultures tearing apart a carcass? 

17th Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel reading invites us to trust God. Whenever we pray we should have underpinning our prayer the conviction that God wants our happiness and will answer any petition with the loving diposition of the best of parents. In the developmental psychology of Erik Erikson Trust/Mistrust is the first stage of our development as human beings. Coming from the womb we need first to trust that our parents will be there for us. We also need to mistrust that which is wrong or dangerous to us. In this way we are enabled to start our journey of development on a sound footing. Not only that, once I have navigated my way through the other stages: Autonomy, Industry, Identity, Intimacy, Generativity and Integrity, Trust/Mistrust is also the last stage. The questions that arise in my mind are: do I trust God?; have I bonded with God and accepted him as the one to guide me in my life and watch over me?; do I have an adequate aversion of those things I need to avoid that are damaging to me?; am I fundamentally optimistic about myself and life in general?; do I let anxiety and fear dominate me?; how ready am I to die and what will I have to say to the Lord when I meet him face to face? All of these questions are valid for us at any stage of life yet every time we say the Our Father we give an answer to them. We place our trust in the Father, acknowledging him to be holy, just and forgiving and pray that he "give us this day our daily bread." 

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus tells Martha today that she is "distracted by many things" (Lk 10: 41). One of those things, it seems was the relationship she has with her sister Mary and the pressure that she puts on herself to get things right. Maybe she was a perfectionist?. Her expectation is that Mary will see the same same priorities as herself. On this occasion I think we can justly infer that the things she was thinking about were to do with providing what Martha thought was suffciently hospitality for Jesus. The question arises, I think, what did Jesus want? What was the one thing needed? Jesus, I suspect, tired after his travel on the road and the burdens of his mission, really needed people he could talk too. Mary was able to discern this and met his needs by sitting at his feet and listening to what he had to say. Martha, for all of her concern, had not stopped to see what Jesus needed in that moment rather she was impelled by her own expectations. Jesus did not cause this. It came about through Martha's upbringing and all of the influences in her life that combined to generate expectations as to what she should do with lots of "coulds" and "shoulds." On this occasion they blind her to the thing that really matters which is to listen to Jesus. What about me? Do I respond genuinely to the needs of others or am I pushed by expections about what is socially, religiously or culturally appropriate? Am I trying to be a superwoman or superman? Can I stop and listen to the Lord? If I did I may well hear him say: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mtt 11: 28-30)

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The parable in today's gospel, commonly referred to as "The Good Samaritan," is well known to most practising Christians. It is curious, however, that in the media when someone is saved by a stranger or a passerby that the rescuer is called a good samaritan. This misses the point of the story because the passerby usually has no animus or prejudice against the person rescued. This, precisely, is the factor that gives the parable its force. Why did Jesus not refer to a good Gentile (non-Jew)? Rather, he uses the example of a Samaritan who would have been a particular object of prejudice and suspicion. The Samaritans, geographically neighbours to the Jews, were in fact related to them. Nevertheless, due to accidents of history, whereby the Samaritans had intermarried with non-Jews as well as  the practise of Samaritan worship on Mt Gerezim, distrust and racial prejudice had arisen. The hypothetical Jew would expect help more from a Gentile than from a Samaritan! When we apply the parable to ourselves we are encouraged to realise and appropriate for ourselves the attitude of mercy which originates not from human categories but from the heart of God. It is an attitude that overcomes prejudice and animosity and is evident in the teaching and personal example of Pope Francis. Sometimes I need to realise that the neighbour I am called to love is not someone I do not know rather it is someone I have a grudge or prejudice against. This malady needs to be cured throught the application of the salve of mercy.

Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Last week we heard about some of the obstacles or difficulties to being a disciple. This week we hear about the instructions given to those who accepted the challenge and were sent out to proclaim the Good News. They are sent in pairs and their job is to prepare for Jesus coming. Everything they are instructed to do speaks of singlemindedness and determination. They are told to: "Go on your way." (Lk 10: 3) There are going to be dangers and they have no protection yet the urgency of the mission impels them: "The kingdom of God is very near for you." Even when they are rejected their message is unchanged: "Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near." (Lk 10: 11) When I think of my life am I one of those who has accepted the call to discipleship? If so, in what ways do I respond to the urgency of the message? Is it that I find all sort of reasons to delay my response to the Gospel or am I put off by the negativity of others? Perhaps it is time to search with greater diligence for how I can be use to the kingdom of heaven and the Master who will follow in my footsteps? Then I will also get the chance to rejoice saying: "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" (Lk 10: 17) and hear the response: "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Lk 10: 20) 

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel we hear not only the benefits of what it means to be a disciple but also of the obstacles. Saint Luke tends to group these in threes: in the desert there are temptations of the appetites, power/wealth and miracles (Lk 4: 1-13); in the parable of the sower the seed is frustrated by the devil taking it from the hearts of the hearers, times of testing and choking by the cares and riches and pleasures of life (Lk 8: 4-15). Today we hear of another three: the desire for certainty and comfort, familial/social obligations and inability respond quickly to the follow Jesus (Lk 9: 57-62). This is a timely reminder of how difficult it is to be a disciple. We have heard the Scripture before: "... for the gate it wide and the road easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is heard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Mtt 7:13-14) Let us never underestimate the cost of discipleship or be lulled into a false sense of security. We need to constantly strive for holiness in our conduct and to be more fervant and sincere in our prayer. It is only in this way that we can hope to yield fruit for the harvest.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I am intrigued by Jesus asking the Apostles who the people in general thought he was and then directing the same question to the Apostles themselves. I think that many of us would be hesitant to do this to those close to us. This is because we can be uncertain about ourselves or even worse have such a negative self assessment that we are afraid to ask others of their honest opinions. I can't stand it when I am asked to do a personal appraisal. Yet, we know from elsewhere in the Scriptures that Jesus had, from the beginning a strong sense of self. As a young man he said to his parents: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house." (Lk 2: 49) That said the demons also knew who he was (Mk 1: 24). The reason for Jesus asking the Apostles was not for his benefit or information but for theirs. Jesus had recently multiplied the loaves and the fishes for five thousand people. He was shortly to ascend the Mount of Transfiguration and reveal that as the Messiah he must suffer at the hands of the authorities. All of this would radically challenge the pre-conceived ideas that the Apostles had regarding the nature and mission of the Messiah and subsequently for their own roles in the "Jesus Movement." As the baptised we are part of the Jesus Movement in 2016. Who we say Jesus is will also have a great impact on how we live our lives and indeed the life to come. Perhaps, today's gospel  is also for our benefit and information. Like Peter we too are prompted to respond in faith by saying that Jesus is: "The Messiah of God". (Lk 9: 21) 

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

There exists potential for confusion in the order of events with forgiveness and love in the Gospel today. To my mind this is understandable. In verse 47 Jesus says of the woman, who has just anointed his feet with ointment and her tears, that: "Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love." It is clear from this that the capacity to show love follows forgiveness. Yet, Jesus then goes on to say: "Your sins are forgiven." (verse 48) In this way he implies that forgiveness follows love. Is such a distinction necessary or helpful? Is it replaying some of the controversies of faith versus works that have blighted theology over the centuries? The Catholic tradition is always open to holding various attributes of a reality at the same time within giving one or the other priority, for example, faith and works; Tradition, Magisterium and Scripture; Eucharist as meal and sacrifice, etc. What we do know is that God has loved us first. It is only because of his love that we are able to reciprocate to Him as well as to show love to others. In this way we can see that in the Gospel grace has built on grace. The love of God by which the woman is forgiven stirs her to show love herself and this allows for further forgiveness and healing to take place. It is up to us however to respond to grace and cooperate with it so that its effects may be magnified in us and in others to whom we show love and forgiveness.

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the gospel today Jesus says: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." (Mtt 9: 12) Even the well need to have a check-up! I have heard a number of times of people who thought they were in good health then, going for a check-up, found that there was something very wrong with them. If this is the case with our physical well-being how much less can we pronounce authoritatively on the state of our own moral and spiritual health. St Paul wrote: "I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me." (1 Cor. 4: 3-4) The litmus test of our openness to God and his mercy is to be found in our ability to recognise the demands of mercy towards others that God makes on us: "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. " (Mtt 9: 13a) Mercy means that we identify with the plight of others as well as their potential for good even when s/he has done wrong to us or to others. It calls forth that good which leads on to healing and reconciliation. Can I name a moment in my past week or month where I have acted out of mercy towards another? If I struggle with selflessness I can be comforted: "For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." (Mtt 9: 13b) 

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

It is irritating to have people focusing exclusively on the sacrament of the Eucharist as if it was in a category all of its own. True, it does stand out from the other sacraments because of the enduring, substantial presence of Christ, under the species of bread and wine, this nevertheless misses the point. All of the sacraments are the actions of Christ. All of the sacraments are effected by the action of the Holy Spirit and are actions of the Church. Those sacraments which can only be received once: baptism, confirmation and Holy Orders all bring about an ontological change, rather than a substantial change, but they bring about a change all the same. One of my favourite maxims is: "magic is when we use created things to influence God, sacraments are when God uses created things to influence us." The Eucharist is for our benefit and sanctification just like the other sacraments. It is, however, not isolated from them. Henri de Lubac stated that: "Church makes Eucharist and the Eucharist makes the Church." To understand this mystery we need to see it in its context and the life as lived by the Church not just to focus on the Last Supper. The action and mediation of Christ in the Church and her sacraments is wonderful and mysterious however it is not magic. The 1983 Code of Canon Law sums up the mystery in this way: "Canon 897 The most August sacrament is the Most Holy Eucharist in which Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered, and received and by which the Church continually lives and grows.  The eucharistic sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated through the ages is the summit and source of all worship and Christian life, which signifies and effects the unity of the People of God and brings about the building up of the body of Christ.  Indeed, the other sacraments and all the ecclesiastical works of the apostolate are closely connected with the Most Holy Eucharist and ordered to it."

Feast of the Holy Trinity

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity, in the first centuries of the Church, was a topic held to be of great importance. As with the teaching on the Incarnation the Church had to struggle to fend of inadequate understandings of its fundamental truths. These misunderstandings, if they are stubbornly maintained by their proposers, become heresies and have the potential, like cancer cells in the body, to destroy the whole. Fortunately, we no longer hand over such people to the civil authorities to be burned but heresy remains a delict or crime in Canon Law under canon 1364. According to canon 751 "Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith." This should not prevent us from searching more deeply into the truths of the faith. It is only when we obstinately hold on to our own mistaken idea that we are in danger of heresy. Such a verdict has to be reached by a church tribunal. Thus, we should always desist from calling other people heretics and enter into discussions with them in good of the faith striving to edify each other by what we say, think and do.

Pentecost

In Eucharistic Prayer III we pray: "... for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name. Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit ...". Each time we gather for Mass and celebrate a sacrament it is the same Spirit that is at work in us as was present to the disciples at Pentecost. The manifestation is different but the effects and the end results are the same. We are united in faith, given courage to bear witnesses to it, granted charisms and spiritual gifts as well as endowed with the gift of peace. It is that gift for which we pray after the Lord's Prayer and was given to the disciples as related in today's Gospel. The life of the Church is unchanged in its essentials: "The Church was, in this fundamental sense, catholic on the day of Pentecost and will always be the same until the day of the Parousia" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 830). This should give us all hope because the obstacles faced by the Church were far greater than what we face now. It is really a question of our openness to the Holy Spirit and our willingness for him to work in, with and through us so that the works and fruits of the Spirit will be evident in us.

The Ascension

The mystery of the Ascension is best addressed through looking more closely at the consequences of the Incarnation. It is a matter of doctrine that Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, is fully divine and being conceived in his humanity, he is fully human. By assuming life in the flesh he lost none of his divinity however he took on the capacity to be tempted, to suffer and to die. In other words he entered into our reality in all ways except he did not sin. By doing so he enabled human beings to participate in his divinity. Saint Paul tells us that we participate in the life of Christ through baptism: "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his ... The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you all must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ." (Rom 6: 5, 10-11) Since we are joined to him in this way the lack of a tangible experience of his risen body is not problematic because, through the sacraments and the Church, Christ is present to us now in a way that far surpasses a one on one physical encounter. In the Ascension we see that he has set a pattern for us which is not bound by earthly realities: "Thus it is written, 'The first man, Adam, became a living being'; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual." The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the amn of dust, so are those who are of dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven."  (1 Cor. 15: 45-49) Our gaze therefore should not remain on the crucifix, with the sufferings of Christ, nor should it be directed to heaven searching for when he will come again. Rather it is alert to Christ present in our midst through the power of the Holy Spirit working in, with and through us. Thus, we pray for and anticipate our renewal in the Holy Spirit next Sunday at Pentecost. We need not worry that Christ has been taken from our sight. We know in faith that if we stay faithful we will be joined with him in the heavenly realities when our time comes.