God does not live in shrines made by men

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Acts 17:15, 22 - 18:1 Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14 John 16:12-15

Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man,

Religion and God is not something that we put in a shrine like a trophy.  Unfortunately that is what religion and God is to many people and what it can become to us. It can be a trophy of our knowledge, our deeds, and our pride. Our religion and our concept of God becomes more about who we want people to think we are rather than who and what God really is.  

God created everything.  God is the creator of life.  Other people's religion is a creation of their own agendas and pride, but God is the creator of everything.  He can't be put in a shrine made by man.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember that you created me and I didn't create you.  Help me to know that you are the creator of life itself.  Help me to know that I have life because of you and that all thanks and praise should rightly and only be given to you.

Amen

Give me your tired, your poor

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

John 1:5 - 2:2 Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 13-14, 17-18 Matthew 11:25-30

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The world tends to move towards those who are successful, charismatic, wealthy, energetic etc...

Jesus calls those who are burdened and heavy laden. That is those who the world rejects, or ignores.  These are the ones who need a savior.  They need someone to comfort them and give them hope. They need someone to give them justice and freedom.  

The words of the poet Emma Lazarus are engraved on the Statue of Liberty:   

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

This is what America is supposed to stand for, very similar to what Jesus says.  Seek to help those in need rather than to exploit those who have plenty.  Contrast the words of this poem and the words of Christ with the vision of Nazi Germany and the Aryan race, or any other nation that has sought to "purify" it's people.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to see the needs of others and to rid myself of the selfish desire for those who have the favor of this world.  Help me to truly see your will and to embrace it.

Amen

Always testing

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10 Matthew 28:16-20

1 Corinthians 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,

We always want to test things against what we know.  The problem is we don't know much.  I am often amazed when I learn something new because it reveals how much I don't know.

What good does it do me to test the truth and the wisdom of God against our own wisdom?  Clearly if we are to have faith it means that we must trust in that which we do not fully know

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust without doubting, without testing to see if your wisdom matches mine.  Help me to put aside my pride and humbly accept your grace.

Amen

Come Holy Spirit

Mass Readings: April 27

First:	Acts 8:5-8,14-17
Resp:	Psalm 66:1-7,16,20
Second:	1 Peter 3:15-18
Gospel:	John 14:15-21

John 14:18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

There are several differences between Christianity and other faiths.  One of the most notable is the presence of the Holy Spirit

Jesus didn't just do his thing and then see you later.  He is present with is in the person of the Holy Spirit.  This is not just some little piece of our faith, but a significant part of it.  As Pentecost nears we prepare to celebrate a major event in our faith.  Christmas and Easter are not fulfilled without Pentecost. They go together and to celebrate one without the others is to miss the fullness of the meaning of each.

So let us celebrate and trust in the full revelation of Christ and enjoy his presence in the Holy Spirit.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be aware of your presence in my life through the working of your Holy Spirit.  When I sin and fall short, keep not your Holy Spirit from me, but restore to me the joy of your salvation.

Amen

An honor to suffer

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Acts 16:1-10 Psalm 100:1-3, 5 John 15:18-21

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Sometimes I think that the world is just going nuts.  I don't understand how people can have the views and do the things they do. How can someone be pro abortion for example?

We can take comfort in the words of Jesus.  We are not of this world.  That should be a good thing.  Paul considered it an honor to suffer for the Lord.  We should too.  Not because suffering is necessarily honorable, but because what caused our suffering is our relationship with Jesus.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to stay with you no matter what.  If I suffer or am persecuted, let me trust in you that you have been there before me and that you go before me to make a way.  Help me to consider it an honor to suffer on your account.

Amen

Cast your cares on him

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Peter 5:5-14 Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17 Mark 16:15-20

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.

This is a fallen world.  Man has sinned and the sin can only be purged through suffering and death.  Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden because the might live forever and there would be no hope for the redemption of man.

But God has made a way for us to be redeemed.  While we are here in this earthly life, however, we are still going to suffer.  Things are still going to go wrong and we are still going to sin. What hope do we have?  Peter, the Rock, says cast your cares on Jesus.  Jesus has promised that he will be with us in this life.  He will not leave us as orphans. He will send us the Holy Spirit and we can be comforted in the knowledge and the hope of one day rising from the grave to be with him forever. So what do we have to fear?  Cast your cares on him.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always rely on your love and grace in this life.  Help me not to forget the promises that you have made that you will be with us and that you will help us.  Help me to cast my cares on you and live a life of love and hope rather than one of fear and despair.

Amen

The saying is sure

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 3:7-8, 10-12 or 2 Timothy 2:8-13; 3:10-12; 3:10-12 Psalm 119:137-144 John 10:11-16

2 Timothy 2:11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;

Paul says that the saying is sure.  These are great words. But what does it mean to die with him? It seems that this is not rendered in the future tense, so it must be something that we have already done and/or are continuing to do.

To die with him must mean to give up our stubborn sense of right and wrong and trust in the righteousness that Christ brings.  It is a different set of rules than our earthly common sense tells us.  It isn't based on the animal-like will to survive, but on a hope and a faith that there is more to life than what we can see and know.  Jesus says that there is more to life than what we have here.  We must trust him for that.  The saying is sure.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust that there is more to life than what we see and know in the flesh.  Help me to stay focused and patiently endure to the end to be with you.  Help me to trust that this saying is sure.

Amen

One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

Mass Readings: April 23

First:	Acts 15:1-6
Resp:	Psalm 122:1-5
Gospel:	John 15:1-8

Acts 15:6 The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

It is interesting that the churches that had an issue regarding the adherence to the Mosaic law were under the authority of the Apostles and presbyters.  What you don't see here is the "congregational" model where the people vote on an issue and decide, and if some don't like it they go to a different church. At this point you still see a respect for the Apostolic Church.

Often our own agendas and issues become more important to us than our faith in Christ.  Jesus says that if we ask believing, the Father will grant us what we ask.  But what does it mean to believe?  It means that we trust in God through the church, the body of Christ.  Today, however we have so confused the issue that it is hard to know what the church is.  But the promise and the command of Christ is still real for us.  Jesus says that kingdoms will come and go, but His Words will never pass away.  So in spite of whatever confusion we have regarding the church, we are still obligated to be obedient to the word of God.  We are still called to trust in Christ and believe that we will get what we ask for.  The question is what are we asking for?  Is it true unity in faith, or do we like the pharisees want everybody to see it our way?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be obedient to your perfect and everlasting word.  Help me in times of confusion and struggle to continue to trust and follow you.  Help me to believe that whatever I ask, believing , you will answer me.  Help me to not get caught up in my own agendas but to look for and be open to yours.

Amen

Doing it the hard way

Mass Readings: April 22

First:	Acts 14:19-28
Resp:	Psalm 145:10-13,21
Gospel:	John 14:27-31

John 14:31 He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go.

He has no power over me, but the world must know....   How often are we willing to say that?  If you don't have to suffer, you shouldn't, right?  Why not take advantage of all the option we have available?

Well, because nobody will be able to tell us apart from the rest.  And how can we convince anybody that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life if after knowing him we are no different than those who do not know him?

Yes, we should suffer a little and we should be different than the rest.  That way people will see and may inquire as to what faith we have that strengthens us.  Then we truly have an opportunity to share.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not always look for the easy way out, but to always look for the way that pleases you and bears witness to your great love.  Help me by strengthening me when I am weak and tempted to give in to the flesh.  Help me to always remember that our real life begins when we leave this world.

Amen

Rest in God's love

Mass Readings  April 21, 2008

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First Reading:  Revelation 3:14, 20-22

Psalm:      Psalm 122:1-9

Gospel:        Luke 11:9-13

Luke 11:13  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Perhaps the greatest sin we as humans have is pride.  We are always willing to cut ourselves more slack than others. We think that we are wise and loving and that we deserve the blessings that we have.  And, yet, we are created in God's image.  That means that in fact we do have the potential within us to be loving and wise and holy.  But unfortunately we fail often.

God does not fail.  When we love our children we are willing to confess that we would die for them.  We would do anything for them.  So why do we not trust God when He says He loves us?  Do we think that our love is greater than His? 

We need to rest in the fact that the best we can do, the best that we can love, still pales in comparison with God's love for us.  That should put our hearts at rest and relieve us of any desire or tendency towards sin.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to rest in your love.  Help me to quiet my pride and trust in you above everything else, and especially in your love for me and my neighbor.

Amen

But God

Mass Readings: April 18

First:	Acts 13:26-33
Resp:	Psalm 2:6-11
Gospel:	John 14:1-6

Acts 13:30 But God raised him from the dead,

That is really all we have to know.  But, God.  The people couldn't find fault with Jesus, but they had him put to death anyway.

It often seems as though people we encounter are so stupid when they point fingers and try to persecute us.  But we have an ace in the hole.  But God raised him from the dead, and Jesus says that he will come back and get us to be with him as well.  No matter how stupid or deceptive people get, we can always count on the fact that in the end we will be justified when Christ comes for us and we go to live with him eternally.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to never give up hope.  No matter how much I struggle with the sin, not only of others, but my own as well, to always look forward to your coming.  You are the life and the truth.

Amen

How to Herald

Mass Readings: April 17

First:	Acts 13:13-25
Resp:	Psalm 89:2-3,21-22,25,27
Gospel:	John 13:16-20

Acts 13:24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel;

How do we "herald" the coming of Christ?  A herald is one who comes before another, or one who announces one's coming, or news to the people.  If and when we herald the coming of Christ is it like John?  Do we do it with a "baptism of repentance"?  

Today it seems to me that more churches would rather "herald" his coming with coffee and donuts and secular style music.  They want everybody to be happy and they go to great lengths to try to make the people as comfortable as possible. But is that the model that we have?  Is that a baptism of repentance?

When we are confronted with the opportunity to present Christ to another, shouldn't we be very self conscious regarding our own appearance?  If we are sinning or acting less than pure in our faith, doesn't that then raise a question about Jesus to the ones who see us.

We would certainly clean ourselves up before entertaining an important guest. Shouldn't we also clean ourselves up when we "herald" the coming of Christ?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to see the sin that deceives and consumes me.  Help me to realize that the comfort that I seek is not necessarily righteousness, but often is only gratification of the flesh.  Thank you for your grace and mercy Lord.

Amen

True Justice is not personal

Mass Readings: April 16

First:	Acts 12:24-13:5
Resp:	Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8
Gospel:	John 12:44-50

Psalm 67:5 May the nations be glad and shout for joy; for you govern the peoples justly, you guide the nations upon the earth. Selah

When people see us, who do they see? Do they see us as people who are working for our own advantage, or out of pride in ourselves? Or, do they see justice and mercy that can be attributed to God who does not judge according to a human sense of personal justice?
When Jesus speaks and when he comes to earth to teach, heal, and give his life, you can clearly see that he is doing this for a purpose beyond himself. What value would it be for him to voluntarily lay down his life? Can we, or our politicians make the same claim?
Are we willing and able to live according to the will of God above and beyond our own sense of justice? This is both humbling and freeing, but at the same time very difficult to come to terms with.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek your will above and beyond my own. Help me to be a witness to your love, mercy, grace and power. Help me not to stubbornly stand on my own words, but to be willing to give everything for your words.

Amen

Be a sheep

Mass Readings: April 15

First:	Acts 11:19-26
Resp:	Psalm 87:1-7
Gospel:	John 10:22-30

John 10:26 But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.

It isn't that the people didn't want a savior.  It is that they didn't want Jesus.

We are much like that today.  We all want to have a good life of love, wealth, prosperity, fellowship.  The question is not what do we want, but how is it to be obtained?  The people questioning Jesus had some preconceived expectations about what a savior would be.  Jesus didn't seem to fit the model they had in their own minds.  So, he told them what they needed to hear, but they didn't believe.  Or, they wouldn't believe.  A sheep follows.  Jesus says that they were not among his sheep.  They questioned Jesus to see if he would meet their expectations rather than follow him.  Jesus doesn't want us to be his judge, but his sheep.  It is our call to follow, not to scrutinize.  True believers follow like sheep.  People that don't really want to follow question whether Jesus is the true Shepherd.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to follow you like a sheep.  Help me to realize that you know more than I do and that I can trust you because of what you have done.  Most of all because as the good shepherd you were willing to lay down your life for me, while I am yet a sinner.  Forgive me for my pride and draw my spirit to you.

Amen