The 13th Day

Wow! That is the only word that comes close to describe the movie "The 13th Day". It is a beautiful film about the Marian Apparitions of Fatima.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Christ is the High priest, having offered Himself to the Father. He is to return and take us to the Father, and while that day is hidden it is certain. Do we shine brightly with wisdom, leading others to the Lord by the lives we lead?

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The widow gave only a few small coins, pittance compared to the extravagant gifts of the rich, yet Jesus praises her for her generosity. She understood what it meant to trust in God, and to make a full return of gratitude to Him. She does not hold on to her livelihood (and none should fault her if she would have), but gives freely. Did she experience God's presence in her life that lead her to this action? Did she experience Him sustaining her after? She simply trusted that the Lord would provide.

We must learn to be come like this widow - to learn to give without counting the cost, to give without expecting reward, and to live generously. When we do, we find responding to a vocation as natural as breathing!

All Saints Day 2009

The Feast of All Saints reminds us that we are called by God to be saints. In all circumstances, the saints found blessedness in God. They responded to the grace of God, and we celebrate that they are in the presence of God. They show us how to live and love so completely so as to be in His presence. They knew themselves to be the children of God, and now they are something 'more', yet to be revealed to us. They responded to the grace of God, the same grace that we are given in the Sacraments. They struggled in the same ways (certainly circumstances change, though) that we do.

We have communion with them - they assist us by their prayers, and we follow their model. May we follow them into the Kingdom of God, being filled with His love, and serve Him all of our days.

Thirty Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Son of David, have mercy on me." Bartimaeus, a blind man, begs the Lord Jesus to help him. In Mark's Gospel account of the healing, there may be a play on words, highlighted that Mark repeats himself - Bartimaeus literally means (in Hebrew) Son of Timaeus, a name that in turn means 'unclean'. But St. Mark repeat the name, this time saying that he is a son of Timaeus (in Greek). Timaeus in Greek means 'honor'. Unlike a leper, Bartimaeus calls out not his name "Unclean", but rather Christ's title as the Messiah He knows not only who Christ is, but his own dignity and honor to call out despite the silencing cries of the crowd.

We out to do the same - we have been given a dignity in Christ. Do we call out of that dignity?

Twenty-ninth in Ordinary Time

"Lord, grant us our request." The brother apostles James and John ask the Lord Jesus to give them their desire. Note that Jesus does not chide them on their desire, but rather on their lack of understanding what they really were asking. Were they willing to suffer hardship, willing to serve others? They reply that they were.

Desire in and of itself is a good thing, but it must be balanced. When it is a desire for holiness and comes with not a desire for fame and power, and when it leads toward service, it is good and holy. Let us accept the cup, ultimately the Chalice of the Blood of Christ, and accept the suffering in our life as a part of the suffering of Christ, and serve one another.

Vocations Views October Edition

I have just posted the latest (as of today) Vocations Views. Enjoy and pass it on!