End times nonsense

       I do not know how many people are aware of this or who have paid attention to the reports that did not garner a great deal of attention, but there is a radical religious fringe in the White House. In fact, a good many of political appointees are now of the American Taliban, self righteous religious far right fake Christian ilk. From VP Pence as well as 'prayer circles' in the Oval Office and religious mentors have the ear of the President. They use his tender ego to bolster the notion that he is the chosen one, a direct choice of God.  It would seem like a kind of paranoia if it wasn't all true. I know, hard to believe based on the actions of the people involved but that is point here right now.  

       There is a justification of almost anything and everything based on the belief that they are the chosen of God.  Science does not matter because God can 'fix' anything that goes wrong. The ends justify the means and to them God's kingdom somehow is detached from heinous actions and immoralities.  I am loathe to explain the abandonment of common sense, logic, science and the clear presentation of our surroundings that are in fact a gift from God. The world and our fellow man are not just gifts but brothers and sisters and constitute a shared responsibility to care for each other and the world itself.

         The starting point for this is the fact that these pseudo Christian religious see the end times at hand. If it weren't it seems they will endeavor to hasten it. To them the signs are there and it makes no difference what they do because they are chosen and they are saved already. There actions totally ignore salvation that is any way based on good actions, charity, love for all. Basically, ignoring the message of Jesus and his life of love. An ignorance of the message of Jesus beyond the pale.

        If we see the end times in the events around us, know two things. One is that even Jesus said he did not know the time or hour. The Apostles questioned Jesus on this and they expected the 'end times' in their lifetime 2000 years ago. Jesus noted that He did not know, only the Father knows. Perhaps most importantly to me, if we see the end times in the events around us, it becomes a prod to act more responsibly, to be more faithful, to be more loving and to do whatever we can with our God given talents and treasures.  It is not a time to let our personal houses fall into disrepair because it is too late. With God it is never to late. With God we are always and everyone, called to holiness.

Luke 21:29-33

 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Building a jetliner

       I am not sure what the reference in this psalm about "all you lands" is. The entire world? Only the lands promised to the Hebrew nation? But one thing I am certain of,  God does speak to all lands, all peoples. The vision may be different, the perception may be different but the core message of love is always there. We are all God's children and we are all valued and expected to contribute to the whole. Of course we might focus more on the differences between Buddha and Jesus, or the seeming contradictions between the rules of one religion over another. If that is our stance, we will never agree. God weeps. I believe we are all called to agree, appreciate, cooperate and love one another. 

        I have read the passages in Scripture that reference the different parts of the body contributing to the whole. Each part has it's purpose, joy and duty so to speak.  It is an easy analogy to follow and it all makes sense. Religion is such a complex creation ( of man ) that quite often such an easy thing becomes questionable if not abhorrent to some people. Most people can see right through the happy horse shit of religion while maintaining firmly that they believe in God.  I am not offering any solution other than to give an example that shows that we are quite capable of overcoming such complexities.


         So here goes. When setting out to design and build a new airliner, there is no singular person responsible.  Designers use one language,  engineers another language, metallurgists might employ technologies and languages all unto themselves. There are  ergonomic specialists for interiors and designs, and of course a host of programmers with assorted languages there. It would be as myriad civilizations all were producing there specialty product towards a single goal and a single design. And let me assure you, if the people that perform welds do not do their part correctly with their very specialized expertise, everything else will be for nought. And yet, all these complexities and languages are overcome, theycome together with one goal in mind. And voila, a new airliner. Astounding.
More than 250,000 kg is thrust up into the air and maintains astounding speeds, heights and distances.

       When I read in this psalm "all you lands", I think of all the different religions of the world. Each has similarities but each a slightly different vision and experience of the Creator.  Who is right, who commands the most complete knowledge. Well, no one. Everyone has their reasonable and valuable view, none should be dismissed or discarded.

       This is all so incredibly complex but during this season of 'complexity' when we have so many different religions celebrating their own holy days, it seems it would be important to note that each one has it's own invaluable and important view - or task if you will. 

       Let us enjoy and appreciate together. Is it not more joyous when we know there is more to celebrate?  Appreciate, celebrate, love.

Pslam 100 / Jubilate Deo

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God;
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting;
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Societal judgments

       Returning a bit to the subject of clarity and how we see things, I am reminded a bit of name calling game my daughter used to indulge in while she was a young teenager. Invariably while driving we would see some young buck driving a car in a typical fashion. There were no hands really on the steering wheel but rather the left wrist is draped onto the top of the wheel while the driver is positioned almost facing the passenger. Usually it was a male driver of a Mustang, Camaro or Firebird which seemed to be in abundance where we were living.  We had a fictitious, though derogatory name we came up with for this type of person. We would have been surprised had we met one of these guys and they uttered something beyond an unintelligible groan. Overall, probably not a good lesson to be teaching my daughter. Really, a bad example in fact.  I believe I have come a long way since then and I know she has blossomed into the magnificent person she was born to be.  We learn, we grow.

        This story is somewhat ironic because my daughter is a highly intelligent natural blond. Acutely aware of some people's penchant for 'blond jokes', I let my daughter know that she would have to overcome the stigma some people attach to being blond, especially because she was gifted intellectually more than many other people.  She is a star.

      So what is this all about? A long winded confession of self judgment and perhaps bad parenting? Actually this all came to me from today's passage. Poor Zacchaeus was short of stature which has it's own arbitrary stigmas as well as being a tax collector. There certainly were some assumptions about that during the time of Jesus. Tax collectors were synonymous with cheats, liars and scoundrels. 

       Zacchaeus is a lesson for all of us. It is not just that we should not be making judgments about people or accepting the judgments that some in society heap on people.  Clearly Jesus does not follow this paradigm. But as if the judgment of society isn't bad enough, this passage about Zacchaeus shows us that he truly was an honest and faithful person.  Perhaps he sough Jesus because he had a bit more to prove because he was so judged. 

        People who feel that they have something extra to prove as a result of societal judgments is a sad testimonial to how we treat each other. Jesus once again takes on the sop of society and turns it on it's head.

        Today I am reminded of how bad I can be, have been and how I have grown.  I am reminded from this reading about Zacchaeus that I must continue to evaluate my own life, actions and beliefs to become more in line with the teachings and actions of the God/man that I proclaim as savior.  How about you?

Luke 19:1-10

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’

Clarity

       I worked in the same medical facility, a large teaching hospital, for well over 35 years. During that time I lived life as everyone does, raised a family and alas, after about year 25, I started to have some issues. They were 'easily' resolved by my coming out. It was a surprise or shock to  most of the people I had come to know, love and work with. It wasn't on the front page of any newspaper I ever saw but the message leaked out as I let it be known matter of factly to one person after another as appropriate.  One day in our crowded lunch room, a hospital aid found out that I was getting a divorce. She was ecstatic that she would now be able to hook me up with her friend, an old acquaintance of mine. She was insistent as she made plans shouting across the crowded lunch room. I of course was just as insistent that she was 'not my type' and that I was not interested.  Finally half the lunch room shouted for her to stop and almost all in unison said "he's not interested - HE'S GAY!"  It was a rather funny moment and it was interesting to see the light go off in the young woman's face.

         Have you ever had a moment when you finally got something? Perhaps something you were aware of but could never put your finger on or simply were blind for one reason or another?

         Twice in today's passage, we see people that are blind and cannot see. First it is the disciples that can't seem to understand what Jesus is telling them about His own near future. Next is a person who is quite literally blind but whom Jesus cures.

          What are things that we don't see, can't see or refuse to see?  We all have the experience, we all have the limitation and propensity to not see what we would rather not see or deal with.

           If memory serves correctly, after much therapy so I could 'see myself clearly', I came out to my daughter who promptly noted "it's about time'. Wow. She apparently had no problem seeing what I could not see or refused to see, what my wife could apparently not see and what everyone else around me either could not see or didn't want to mention.

          Some things we avoid seeing are minor, others are major.  Great stories like  A Christmas Carol are based on great personal blindness to our selves and the world.  How great it would be if all of life was 20/20. I am not sure we are all ready for such great vision but I do know that I ask God ( pray ) for clarity as I am able to handle it. 

         I pray we can see more of life with clarity, love and compassion this upcoming Advent season. 

          

Luke 18:31-43

 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Less than or equal to

       It seems hard to me to believe that anyone would try to restrict children from coming to Jesus.  Having said that, I don't know a lot of things about ancient times.  I do not know how children were viewed specifically. I know that women were considered 'less than' almost anything. They were bargaining chips in business, chattel and had no opinion worth listening to. Perhaps that is how some fundamentalists still view women but I pray we have risen above that. It was Jesus after all had women friends, spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well and had lengthy conversations with her at that. Jesus surely was a rebel, so who he allowed and welcomed into his inner circle should not be a surprise.  Jesus said  ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

        Who else would Jesus welcome into his midst? To my way of thinking, based on Scripture, Jesus welcomed everyone and especially those considered 'less than'. Women, foreign invaders, lepers, tax collectors, common sinners, adulterers.The lesson of the children and being childlike opens up great love but also great responsibility.

         Any outsider, any marginalized, anyone that society puts down or casts aside are the ones that the faithful at least should be welcoming in, embracing and loving.  What does that love look like? Is it feeding them? Is it acts of charity?  I think Jesus calls us to liberating actions of equality. That means no only treating people equal but something more. We are called to dismantle the actions and systems that perpetuate inequality among God's beloved people. Even in ourselves, perhaps especially in our selves. 

          If these actions are a test of faith, I point to the American Taliban. Those hyper religious self righteous fundamentalist ( so called ) Christians who have no much more of an agenda than to minimize, ostracize and legalize the very actions that Jesus fought against. Perhaps even worse is that in their zeal they travel abroad without compunction to spread vicious lies and false interpretations of Scripture that promote an aberrant and abhorrent type of Christianity - if you can even call it that. They entice whole governments to act and legislate in unholy ways.

           If we are to accept the 'children' of society into our midst we must take active and faithful steps to promote the real kingdom of God, the kingdom that is open equally to everyone. Everyone is equal to, not less than. All are called, all are welcome.

Luke 18:15-30

 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’

 A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’ When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’

 Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ He replied, ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’

 Then Peter said, ‘Look, we have left our homes and followed you.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’ 

All will see

       I once had a brother-in-law who was a good friend. We would hang out, smoke cigars and just chat, great guy.  At one time he told me that he didn't believe in miracles. If they ever existed, certainly not any more. Why couldn't we see any these days, he'd ask. I am not sure if I challenged him on that or not. I absolutely recall noting that in some way you needed to be willing to see miracles that occur. You have to open your eyes to the possibility and their reality.

       In today's passage from Revelation, it notes that God will be seen coming with clouds and that every eye will see him. Taken literally, it would not be a matter of opinion, ALL will see. But perhaps even then, some might say "It's  a mirage brought on by your terrible thirst" ( Barry Fitzgerald, The Quiet Man, 1952 ). 

       We all hunger and thirst for God, the source of all existence and love. All we need do is open our eyes. As humans we know that sometimes the best place to hide something is right under our very noses, right in front of us.

        All we need do is open our eyes, have a willingness to see.  Lord, harden not our hearts and let us not be a stiff necked people as in days of old.

Revelation 1:4-8

 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and madeus to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 
Look! He is coming with the clouds;
   every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
   and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.

 ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. 

Focusing on holydays

       I inserted a line into this blog the other day that is a recurring Advent line from a Montfort missioner Priest that I know. He speaks to this time of year when people 'buy things that people don't need, for people they don't like with money that they do not have'. That's not an exact quote but the gist is there.  For a whole host of reasons people dislike the holiday season.

        Of course there are those that shout "put Christ back in Christmas!" There are still others that allege and lament the secular nature ( if not anti-Christian nature ) of coffee cup designs at Starbucks. Yeeesh. get a grip, will ya? I would be more prone to lament that Christ has been taken out of Christianity. The question has really become what is the focus of Christmas and in fact the entire holiday season since so many religions celebrate holy days and feasts around this time of year. Do you think that's an accident? Some might say that 'other' holidays are a distraction to what they  perceive as the true meaning of the season. I would say it is no accident that we have coincidentally or intentionally set aside an entire season focused on all the best attributes of humanity and God's love for us.

       I do think Madison Avenue and our very own penchant to make materialism our God has supplanted much of the 'holiness' we play lip service to. No, I am well aware of things that obscure any true meanings to our common holy seasons and holiday celebrations. I am still ecstatic that the world in effect sets aside an entire season to focus on what is truly important and that it begins essentially with our call to ourselves to be thankful. There is a great deal of irony there for sure. Some are thankful for what the have on Thursday only to beat the crap out of each other on Friday to get the best deals on the best whatever. All 'out of love'. Scary.

        So besides being a Holy season for so many it is in fact a tug of war, not between opposing religions, but between our opposing nature. It is a challenge to focus on the real essence of Christianity for Christians. Must we tell everyone in our lives how much we love them by the number and expense of gifts? Can we placate ourselves by dropping spare coinage in a metal bucket outside a store? Even that  revered 'agency of good' is very far from the focus and truth of what real Christianity stands for. Their policies are far from what Christ's are, but  I digress. How do we foster and maintain a good focus during this holy season. It is supposed to be holy isn't it?

        As difficult as it might seem, can we devote time to family members and loved ones,  quality time? If we feel some urgency or requirement to spend, can we do so in a way that fosters or promotes the Kingdom, true love and thoughtfulness?  If the season is as great as we proclaim, is not the effort we put into keeping it focused on God a noble cause and of paramount importance? 

        As unique as you and I and everyone else is, so should our plan to keep holy this holiday season. Perhaps a gift to God might be to respect and try to understand how how other faiths see the Creator.  Wisdom and love seems a superb gift. Feeding the hungry would be high up there too. Peace and love, the absolute best. And just for the record, materialism, self righteousness and hate are not to be found on any good list of ways to make the holidays holy.

Notches on my bedpost

       Today is the feast of Saint Andrew. There is not a great deal we know of him but he his mentioned in Scripture several times and most notably as the brother of Simon Peter.  His legacy in the Christian churches has been one noted for bringing others to Christ, a personal evangelist. It seems that is really what all our lives should be, eh?  They will know we are Christians by our love ( in action ) and respond in kind. That is, becoming a follower of Jesus based on our personal example; seeing the merit and glory of The Way.

        I hardly think though that we act, serve and love based on our desire to convert others, like we have notches on our bedpost as to how many we have converted.  What we do is act out of faith, love, thanksgiving and joy and rarely do we see the direct results of those actions.

         We contribute to the cause by our love in an unknowing way but filled with faith that we will have some effect in God's plan of salvation.  Even as faithful, we may not be fully aware of the legacy of who brought us to faith.  It could have been a word uttered by someone, an act of love by a faceless individual in God's name.  

          Our journey to wholeness and contribution to heaven on earth, God's plan of love for all of us, is not something we measure in human terms. We act faithfully and lovingly without a score sheet or ledger to keep track. We love as God loves us, blindly, openly, completely and with reckless abandon for our fellow beloved creations. 

           No notches here.

       

Black Friday, what's on your list?

       When I was a very young boy, I had the habit of visiting my elderly neighbor ladies for ginger ale and Vienna fingers. They loved me so. This time of year I started to get especially excited to visit as "The Wish Book" would be arriving any day from Sears. The Wish Book was the ultimate catalogue of its day and was chock full of everything but most importantly, every toy a kid could possibly want. My own wish list was heavily derived from that wonder book and quite often some of those items appeared under the Christmas tree with my name affixed.

       Today is 'black friday' and I suppose today is the day that unofficially marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Everyone it seems gets into the act and I confess there was one year I caved and got up at 3am and met some coworkers to indulge in the madness. Never again I assure you.

        In today's passage we are assured that God will give us justice if we ask for it. In other similar passages like Matthew 7:9 or  Luke 11:11, we are asked what father would give a snake when a child asks for bread? God will always hear us and respond favorably.  God will always provide sustenance as well as justice it seems. We can count on God always, always at our side, always full of love for us.

        But what of my personal Porsche Macan? Will God provide that for me? Perhaps God will so indulge me some day. I will be quick to note that this indigence may come at a time I realize just how frivolous a request it really is. I guess I really know that now. My point is that God does provide. I am not saying you will get everything on your list that now might be as heavily laden with electronics as with any pack of Legos, Lincoln logs or Erector sets or even that ripped guy from the gym.

        I notice that today's passage speaks of justice as the key promise. I cannot help but think what we have to ask for is what makes us whole and in some way cooperates with what we need to make us whole as humans and as an individual.  That is, the person God made us to be fully alive with all our talents and abilities. With my penchant and interest in building, it is no wonder that God (  as my parents ) made sure Legos were under the tree for me, they encouraged a talent I still enjoy and embrace to this day. I enjoy it too with my grandkids. There is boundless love there in both directions.

          I can't help come back to the extensive lists of things we may come up with on this obscenely materialistic shopping day.  I will be the first to embrace the notion that anything we ask God for should be not of this world unless the objects in question support and promote a bigger goal, being a better person or contributing to making the world a better place.

         When we buy things that people do not need, for people we may not really like and with money that we really may not have, how is that contributing to God's plan of love for us? Is that the love and justice God seeks? A card that announces a person is giving a herd of sheep to a remote village somewhere via  Heifer International. Not so exciting for a kid perhaps but maybe a great gift for someone who understands that they don't really need another chochka for a dusty shelf. It seems something like that truly cooperates with God's plan of  one family, justice and love for everyone.

       What's on your list?

Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

A Thanksgiving puzzle

       It is appropriate and correct to give thanks to God for everything in our life.  Should we be thankful for the gifts we have been graced with? Yes. Should we be thankful for the riches we have been graced with? Well, not so fast. Does God love you more and therefore give you more than the next chap?  Are you a better person and deserve more than the next fellow?  Conversely, are people poor because they have done something wrong or because God loves them less?  I believe God wants us all to have the best. How do you define "best"?

      These are slippery slopes and dangerous abysses await when we conclude or convince ourselves that we have done something to deserve the good things we may have been graced with. Do we not have free will or does God play with us like puppets granting some more than others? How involved in our lives does God get? All interesting questions.

         I think it is a mystery and that it is unlikely that God micromanages us.  What God asks is that we be thankful for everything we have no matter the source, chance, luck or hard work. More important is what we do with those tools we have. What do we do with the gift of our love, our talents and our treasure?

       While we sit down to eat whatever meal we are graced with, it seems wholly appropriate that we say thank you for everything. People, planet, money, home, children we are entrusted with, families we feel challenged with or whatever. We should say thank you, for it is ALL an opportunity to love and help unfold the promise and birthright of God's love and goodness in our lives. 

       Thank you sweet Jesus, Thank you heavenly God, thank you for the Spirit alive in us.

"Thank you very much" - Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

       Oh, sure, it's the Samaritan that comes back and thanks God for his cure. Show off, know nothings, half breeds. What else shall we call them? Samaritans are on the margins of society, looked down upon by the real Jews and the religious elite, why can't they stay on the fringes where they belong? huh?

      It seems everyone knows to ask God for help. There were ten lepers after all. The question is do we come back to God when we are cured? Do we at least have the decency to stop and say "thank you"?

      I used to have a friend in college who made the sign of the cross while he drove. At every church, synagogue, temple and more, he was whipping up a stir with the sign of the cross. How that annoyed me. It drove me crazy but that probably says something more about me than him and that drive is often a short one - to craziness that is. If his personal acts of piety drove me nuts, he at least was keeping God in his thoughts. He was saying thank you and trying to keep God close to his heart. His biggest problem really was not having two hands on the wheel fifty percent of the time.  How many of us go through our days focused on wrong things? ( Trivial pursuits? 11-18-18 ). How often is God really in our daily field of vision?

       Do we really need to be reminded to say thank you to God?  Even  in the absence of some specific cure or an answer to a prayer, do we ever really devote enough time saying thank you?  

         What this passage speaks to is that we like to keep God where we want. It isn't enough that we can't seem to say thank you, we are distracted further when someone we don't like or someone we think isn't deserving of God's attention is acting holy or is actually included.  Heaven forbid we consider the faithfulness of the people on that darned caravan. Isn't a gay Christian an oxymoron? How could they be faithful people?  Oh do we get irked when the un-holy get holy. Who do they think they are?

          It isn't enough to say thank you, it appears that we also might want to realize that everyone is loved and that everyone has God alive in their lives.  God loves them at least as much as God loves you. We all should have consdieraby more thank you's and far less judgement of others.

Luke 17:11-19

 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

Great expectations

       The readings ( below ) from this mornings Liturgy of the Hours are quite indicting.  This is not a snippet of Scripture translated to support an agenda.  Here we have what we are expected to do and how to act. In the face of the exact same problems we have today, they were being admonished to serve, feed, share, love. 

       I read a piece of news today about a minister from Texas. Hearing about the caravan heading north to the United States and all the pre-election day hooplah and hysteria that ensued, this minister decided to find out for himself, head south to the caravan, meet up, greet, walk and discover. He discovered faithful people. Caring people. Generous people, a far cry from the hordes of mad dogs and villains portrayed by the President. I ask,  what if we were all so inclined to greet a caravan or something of similar ilk, how great a nation this would be? What a magnificent  tribute to God's love if we walked miles with another on their path, welcoming, sharing life, love, food. 

     The real kicker that is pointed out in Luke is that are expected to know what we are to do.  Especially if we are Christians, followers of The Way. Perhaps any human with a shred of common sense or empathy knows that this is how to act. This is basic stuff people, humanity 101.  We cannot feign ignorance. If you cannot see it with your own eyes, Scripture, old and new tells us so. What excuse have we?  Can we legitimately pick a snippet of Scripture that supports a contrary view? It appears from this Lukan passage that no excuses will be accepted.

          Tough reading, no escape. This is how we are called to act and treat our fellow humans.  What I find scary is what else are we expected to know?  How will we be held accountable? Yikes!

James 2:14-26

 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

 But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road?For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead. 

Luke 16:19-31

 ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’

Trivial pursuits

       When I met my husband it was after 50 years of living. That included years of schooling, raising children, a lengthy marriage, time in therapy coming out and several years in seminary, though not in that order. When you meet someone later in life I think it is safe to safe you are in many instances 'set in your ways'. 

       The trick in living together is always to know what is important. Our relationship has  been blessed in that regard. Each of us arrived at the same place by different means but we both knew to focus on how blessed we were and that we should focus on what really  matters.

        How many times have you heard of people arguing over how the toothpaste is squeezed, the toilet paper is over or under, the way the dishwasher is loaded or some other frighteningly trivial matter?  So many of us fixate on the minutiae of life and if this were a solo flight, that might be fine. The world God has placed us in is such a diverse place and with diverse peoples, we have to learn how to adjust, compromise and know what is of fundamental concern.

        Being raised and educated as a Roman Catholic both pre and post Vatican II, I know about the minutiae of religion as well as the rules and rubrics. At the same time I have been graced with the wisdom to know what is important and what is not. One of our generations great religious, Thomas Merton, was accepted by multiple denominations of Christianity as well as myriad religions throughout the world. He had said that if we tried to find unity based on the rules and rubrics of religion we would never find a consensus or harmony. If however we focused on the fundamentals of God which he could so easily elucidate, we could all, as he did, find harmony with everyone. His understanding and love was acknowledged and he was well accepted and sought out by many holy people. Closer to home, would we find unity if Jesus is hanging from the cross in your Christian church or not?  How about the proper way to make a sign of the cross or dipping your fingers in holy water? What is the specific 'formula' for creating the Eucharist? Do you think it has changed from the time of Christ? Did Jesus' followers get the recipe down pat as one of the first things needed for acceptable worship?  How would we compare the practice of using an elevator on the Sabbath only if someone else pushes the button for you?   Trivia abounds in our lives and especially in religion.

       What do you think is the most important?  If your answer promotes unity, love, acceptance and harmony, then I think you are on the right track. If your compulsive, righteous self supports rules and rubrics that  promote hatred, divisiveness and  marginalization, then I think you may have some more soul searching to do.

        God loves every one of us all over the globe and beyond, God reveals herself in different ways and at different times. How can we see the unity in it all if we focus on trivial pursuits?        

Matthew 23:13-24

 ‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

 ‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it;and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.

 ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

The roots of evil

       I found out recently that even though I have retired, I would be getting some monies from the contract my union had just negotiated. We had worked so long without a contract that the settlement in negotiations reached back to a time when I had been employed. Bonus! I always welcome money.

        How is that different from the chastising words from Jesus in today's passage from Luke about the Pharisees who are "lovers of money"?  First let me relay my own parable here. A Catholic Priest, a Rabbi and a televangelist are discussing how they handle finances and how they 'pay themselves' and how much they give to God. The Rabbi says that he draws a circle on the ground first, he then throws all the money up in the air, what lands inside the circle is for me he says, what lands outside the circle goes to God. The Priest says he has a similar method. The Priest draws a circle and throws the money up but what lands inside the circle goes to God and what lands outside the circle is for himself. The Televangelist says he has also throws the money into the air, whatever God wants he keeps, whatever comes back down, is mine! 

       Money itself is not what is evil. What is evil is the love of money. When money becomes your God and displaces the cross you agreed to carry, that is a problem. Money is a tool. As that inimitable character Dolly Madison Levi said, Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It's not worth a thing unless it's spread around, encouraging young things to grow. Money is a good thing then, it depends on whether it becomes your only or main focus in life. What do you do with it when you have it?

       Today is the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. By all accounts a woman of some means based on her dowry and marriage. Elizabeth spend her time and monies devoted to the poor and sick. If we are serious about trying to approach a 'tithe' in our own giving, Elizabeth gave it all.  Giving cash to the poor, 'dollaring' the basket at church is not quite enough. What do we do with our monies that can directly serve, help or witness to our fellow humans, to our world in fact?  Would we send clothing or supplies to the people in the pre-election caravan?  Can you afford to buy an extra item of food in each visit to the store to donate later to a food bank? Be imaginative.  I once bartered a boat trip that I had won to someone who wanted the trip; they in turn would supply diapers (that they would be send) to a home for troubled, pregnant youth. It seemed win win win win. The boat trip itself had also been donated for a good cause and I spent money on the auction that won the trip in the first place. 

        Money is not the root of all evil, the love of money is the root of all evil.   

Luke 16:10-18

 ‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’

 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. So he said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.

 ‘The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped.

 ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Driving insane

       Yesterday I witnessed perhaps one of the worst car accidents ever. Multiple cars strewn over the opposing section of highway, upended, flipped over, crushed beyond recognition. They were arrayed in such fashion that it appears the cars were billiard balls spread out after the first break indicating mass and great velocity were involved. Very sad.  I was almost constantly aware of the caliber of driver on the roads I found myself in yesterday in Florida, a mix of old timers being extra cautious and younger less patient drivers with a love for speed and a feeling of immortality. 

       It is easy to lose yourself in the practicalities of driving in what seems to be a real life video game. I myself have been known to shout "idiot" and "moron" at errant drivers and sometimes even a wave off, while admitting I do not always use all of my fingers in that wave.  After reading this snippet from James this morning I am aware of two immediate things. One is I am thankful to be home in my jungle habitat with my husband and cat. The other revelation or reminder really, is the admonition here in James to rid ourselves of bad behaviors that overtake our good nature. That is, the nature of love and goodness God has placed within us to cooperate with and create the kingdom of God on earth. It is a hard con job to convince someone with one hand that you love them while waving with one finger to them with the other. 

       Many years ago I found the lonely commute at 4am an excellent time to pray, chant and listen to some of my favorite spiritual music.  It did not make the drunks on the road at that time better drivers but it made me a better companion to them, alert and forgiving, leaving the policing to the police. My coworkers also found me a better person once I arrived there. Centering and making a concerted effort to listen and love makes a huge difference in everyone's life, especially ourselves.

       I am not sure how much mediation or centering was practical yesterday on the roads but but I know I was thoroughly sobered by the carnage left strewn around like a child's play toys. I know I will make more of an effort to  be listen more, talk less and be slow to anger for everyone's benefit - especially me.

James 1:19-27

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

The opposing view

       Years ago, when I was younger, foolish and perhaps a bit more capable, I took on the task or renovating my kitchen. This was a top to bottom job, ripping out the floors to the ceiling rafters. As it neared completion, my friend  and I looked at the newly sheet rocked walls and reviewed cabinet placement. He noted that the places for the electrical sockets were 4 inches off in several places. "So what" I said, what is four inches? The more he explained how it actually did make a difference, the more upset I got. This was a new wall! What were we going to do, rip it down?? Yes my friend said, now is the time and it should be done correct from the start. I got more and more angry the more I realized he was correct. There are so many lessons here but one of which is that we often don't like to upset our own view of things, perhaps more so when we realize we are wrong.

         Yesterday, in an amusing twist, I mentioned today's passage from Luke. This is the story of the prodigal son. I noted how God loves us and always welcomes us back with open arms - no matter what. Always loved, always welcome. There are other interpretations and messages there as well. Are we willing to hear them or are we set in that one exegesis?

          I am not going to review the different interpretations of the prodigal father passage, yes father.  I'll let you think about that. What I do note is that we really like to hear things the way we are comfy with. If you have a left bent you might listen to / watch MSNBC; a right slant? You watch Fox news. Gosh that has such a fowl taste just saying it. Oxymoronic, Fox news. 

         In the early church, that is before Rome and schisms, there were heresies. The early church leaders confronted many false beliefs and really, they searched for what they actually did believe and to codify them.  When it came to heresies though, many church leaders, Doctors of the Church as some were called, they found it helpful to delve fully into the beliefs of their opponents. That is, they truly wanted to understand the opposing view. In this way, they could debunk the falsity from within so to speak. Perhaps also, they might learn a thing or two in the process.

        How much better would the world be if we opened ourselves up to learning the opposing view?  What about simply saying to ourselves, I do not know all that there is to know. I could be wrong. Oh, heaven forbid we admit we might be wrong. Does the 'other' that we demean perhaps have some truths to be told?

         When I view a picture of a rabid white supremacist shouting and carrying is tikki torch, I have to note however distastefully, what truth might he have?  How am I perhaps equally as rabid in my own views? I am still quite capable of getting angry when someone tells me an inconvenient truth. 

         I am not suggesting that we adopt the evils ways or beliefs of those that seek a fake Christian reality, one not even based on Jesus , his life or Scripture. There are those who would rub whole peoples from the face of the earth based on their own beliefs. I am suggesting that we at least have the courage and commitment to opening our eyes, hearts and minds to the 'others' in our lives, to other beliefs and others faiths as well. 

         

Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

 Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. 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. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

 ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 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.” ’

The lost sheep

       I just finished a good murder mystery novel where one of the protagonists was gay. The scene started with high school kids and the cliques that invariably ensue in such an environment. The rich snobs, the geeks, goth, jocks and on it goes.  How they interacted was an interesting play for the writer. All in all, not a bad read.

       I can't help but think of that book when I was reading this mornings passage from Luke.

Quite often in society there is a trend to stay mainstream. You want to be with the masses and if you don't accept one or more of the prevailing major views you are an outcast.  This is certainly true of the LGBTQ community who are viewed with skepticism, hatred, and certainly gross misunderstanding. The only group I might say that is more 'out there' are LGBTQ Republicans whom I still have an aneurysm trying to comprehend. Be all that as it may, Jesus is letting us know how valuable the outsiders are.

        Jesus seemed to have a penchant for seeking out the outcasts. From the tax collector to the prostitutes, to Samaritans, to the Roman Centurion, all were lower in the accepted societal standing of the time. Jesus had woman friends and spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well who was far beneath what the norms of the time would consider as acceptable behavior. One of Jesus' most famous parables is about the prodigal son, the young chap who bucked all convention, went outside accepted behavior and from all reports led quite a stunningly dissolute life while squandering his dad's money. The end of that story we know involved the father's celebration at the son's return. 

         God loves every single one of us. If you are part of one of the major cliques that seem to thrive - kudo's to you.  We should always be aware though that the world is not black and white and that there is more to life than picking a side or clique. God's creation is a broad tapestry of diversity and God calls all of us, even those at the fringes of the tapestry. Those fringes are perhaps the most beloved part in their uniqueness and as an exemplar of God's magnificent creation. God seeks out the lost sheep, the fringes, the ones who 'don't fit in' or who are not accepted by the masses. 

        We need to know, and live to the full, that God loves every single one of Her creations.

Luke 15:1-10

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

 So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

 ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’