Living the Lessons of Jesus Christ

We live in a restless time. Fear finds many heads, rules them. Ignorance of God displays itself in self-help book titles and many newspaper opinion pages. Hope, Love, Charity remain hidden from the view until a disaster occurs. We live in a dangerous time. The nation’s economic life rests on a perilous precipice, tilting toward recession.


Christians aren’t born from comfort. They’re born from conflicts, tensions, loss, injustice. I’m beginning to believe that the need for renewed evangelization is actually growing in this country. The basic knowledge and understanding of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ needs to be told again and again. That Jesus Christ is a victim of humankind’s brutality, jealousy, violence can not be forgotten or whitewashed. His death achieved eternal life for all true believers. We are asked to use our lives as witness to the Gospels, as witness to the grace and goodness and power of God. We live in an age easily coddled and pacified by sin, temptation, technology. Long-term planning is over shadowed by short term returns. Charity, humility, obedience, compassion each become an individual casualty of self indulgence, selfishness. Living a Christian life can be a life of discipline, hard scrabbling, hard decisions. Living a Christian life requires prayer, reflection. Our relationship with God deserves loving reverence, loyal service, continual protection. As Catholics we are asked to be creative and resourceful in our faith as we find new ways to share the Good News. Becoming great, becoming perfect Christians in God’s eyes are very important.

It’s amazing to see how much the world needs our prayer, needs our assistance. Our experience as Catholics provides a living, breathing, hoping face of the church and an image of God. The journey to salvation begins with a desire, a thought. The journey may not always been what you want, what you expect.

Being Christian requests more effort than simply attending Mass on Sunday. Each Christian needs to learn how to defend the face with compassion and love.

The lessons that Jesus Christ taught remain applicable today. Saying that you are Christian remains easy, sharing your faith, offering your life to God is difficult. Being Catholic is an opportunity to imagine the greatness and majesty of God. Being Christian provides each believer with an opportunity to invent ourselves, and our lives as Christians, as Catholics.

In everyday life, many Christians might find the route to goodness, holiness, kindness harder as our society includes scientific thought, allows and encourages permissiveness and sin.

There’s nothing wrong with being Catholic and reminding the world to love God, to love our neighbors . The importance of love in Christian life remains undeniable. Love and forgiveness are important components of Christian life; new evangelization asks each believer, each true believer to be concerned with the totality of his or her life, to make choices based upon the Gospel teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each one of us is asked to be a witness for Jesus Christ, to live our faith boldly, lovingly, obediently.

Be A Guardian

Each Christian has the responsibility to be a guardian for the Lord, to be a steward for the Lord. Being involved, spreading the Good News, integrating the teachings of the Gospels into daily living are the hallmark of stewardship. Christianity provides God’s voice for both believers and non-believers, followers and non-followers. Christians share the truth about God’s grace and mercy; Christians warn others about the consequences of not believing, of being wicked. Christians are invited to speak out for God, to speak for goodness, holiness, kindness. Christians are invited to encourage others to believe in God, to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Each Christian is invited to share humility, to nurture obedience, to create charity. Each Catholic is asked to love his neighbor as he loves himself, and to love God with all his heart. God is to be preeminent in the lives of all Christians. The life of each Christian is to be away from sin, away from being bad. The world is filled with wickedness, all types of violence, all types of violence, all types of activities which can lead a man away from God. We are responsible for being sincere, for being truthful and loving when dealing with others, when leading others to God. We are all asked to invite others to turn away from a sinful and sorrowful life, to turn God and eternal life.

The life of each Christian is a prayer for the souls of all human beings, a prayer to save ourselves, our communities, our neighbors.

We are asked to be concerned about each other, about the environment, about fairness, about social justice.

The character of faith and being Christian is a riddle for many nonbelievers. Christ presents a solution for good living, a path to salvation. Christ presents each one of us the opportunity to be confident. God asks for uncontrolled, unconditional communication from each one of us. We are asked to discover the language of hope, the language of passion. Life is filled with choices, with difficulty. There is an endless search for definitions and descriptions and explanations and instructions. Life provides endless things to love and hate. As Christians we are encouraged to be Christ-like, to be selfless, to be moral, ethical.

Our Christian gaze begins with charity, includes concern for the community, for all those visible and invisible. Our Christian life can lead us to serve God, can lead us to stewardship.

Christians Share the Good News

Each day in each month in each year is a time for prayer, for remembrance, for hope. When Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, World War II began. Will any event today be remembered in seventy years?

Spreading the Good News is the responsibility of all believers of Jesus Christ. The Gospels are to be shared with all human beings.

Each day there are births, deaths, doctor appointments, weddings, dinner parties. Each day there are opportunities to serve the Lord by sharing and living the Gospel.

How great it is that equable and equitable sound alike and resemble each other to confuse people.

Christians are often described as being equable, as sharing the same views and opinions.

Life is filled with many suppositions. Christians are all human beings with a mixture of misadventure and happiness. With prayer and discipline it is possible to avoid the advance and seduction of sin and vice.

Curiosity, innocent and pure, can lead to serving God, to loving God. The best affliction that a Christian can have would be the love of God above all things. The best support that a Christian can have would begin with forgiveness.

Parish life is both inspiring and challenging. Trying to find the best way to serve the Lord is difficult. The need for good deeds, for compassion, for mercy increases each day. Prayer is always needed. Kindness in human interaction is needed. These things I learn each time I go to Mass. I am reminded of my vulnerabilities and I try to improve.

My spiritual life is filled with questions, allusions, metaphors. There are clear skies, smoking candles, crashing waves, soft harps. My spiritual life is filled with great motion as I try to be obedient to God, try to move closer to God. There are moments when I move two steps away from God, then five toward God and then four away and six toward.

It is natural and healthy to want an intimate relationship with God. The knowledge of each person’s life contains both happiness and unhappiness. Each day presents an opportunity for education, an opportunity to serve the Lord. It is natural and healthy to want to use Jesus Christ as a role model, to consider sacrificing your life in the name of God.

Life in a parish reinforces the responsibility of all parishioners to become involved, to do a little more than attend life once a week. The more you allow yourself to become involved the more you can learn about God, about serving God, about loving God, about loving your neighbor.

Parish life inspires me to want to spread the Good News.

Radical, Ridiculous, Risky

Be radical. Be risky. Be ridiculous. Remember to take time to listen to the word of God. Remember to take time to reflect upon the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Remember to search the Gospel for applications to your daily life.

Allow yourself to be open to new thoughts. Allow yourself to be open to old words. Allow yourself to listen and then contemplate the word of God. Learning occurs with a little time and contemplation. Allow yourself time to sit down and listen and accept the teachings of the Lord.

Wisdom arrives at different intervals. Friendship arrives at different intervals. God is always present in our lives. Sometimes too much reliance on logic and reason hides God and his love from our sight. The caprice of sin seeks to be habitual, continual escalating between events. That sin occurs in each of us does not make it either inevitable or natural. Sin shows a lack of discipline, a lack of respect, a lack of obedience. Our sins sets the price for our redemption, for our salvation.

I like nothing more than to be in a roomful of people talking all types of polite amusing nonsense. How wonderful soft laughter is! How wonderful gentle whispers are! How wonderful is the strength of comfy secrets and gossip shared between knowing glances and polite sips of wine!

How often is my life filled with repeated entreaties of the adventures of my life? I can only respond that I have experienced the strength of sin and the weakness of common sense. The great tragedy of life remains that our misfortunes and disasters are more interesting to others. I sometimes felt that my acquaintances liked the idea of me being in perpetual danger again and again. There is a predictability, a sameness with sin and sinning. Our society allows sin to be comfortable, acceptable. Sin no longer leads to societal rejection.

But sin remains dreadful, remains an obstacle to a loving relationship with God. Sin makes us obstinate. Being obstinate leads away from God, leads to darkness.

We are invited to be part of the crowd of believers pressing in on Jesus. We are are invited to be part of the crowd asking to be healed by Jesus. We are invited to be part of the crowd trying to touch Jesus. We are invited to be part of the crowd asking to be fed by Jesus. Each time we attend Mass we are part of the crowd, part of the community listening to the word of God.

Listening to the word is an invitation for active participation. Listening to the word of God is not for the passive. Listening to the word of God, is a call to a action, a battle cry, a glorious, heavenly reveille inviting us to renounce sin, to accept God; inviting us to walk toward the light, walk toward salvation.

Remembering Those In Need - Simple Lenten Meal

“A PREACHING THAT DOES NOT POINT OUT SIN is not the preaching of the gospel. A preaching that makes sinners feel good, so that they are secured in their sinful state, betrays the gospel's call. A preaching that does not discomfit sinners but lulls them in their sin leaves Zebulun and Naphtali in the shadow of death”—(Jan. 22, 1978). Archbishop Oscar Romero.


As Christians we must never allow ourselves to become complacent, to accept the status quo. We must always be trying to learn more about how to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, how to be more loyal servants for God. Each day we should give thanks for all of our blessings. Each day we should pray for equality and social justice for everyone. As Christians we must be prepared to make sacrifices in the name of God, for the glory of God.

The Social Justice and Community Services Ministry at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle sponsored the Simple Lenten Meal. The Spanish Prayer Group prepared and served the meal. Parishioners spoke about an orphanage in Peru that needs to purchase a van to transport patients from the orphanage to the hospital. After that discussion there was a little discussion about Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador.

Each moment of our lives presents a chance for us to proclaim God’s works, to praise him, to offer him thanks. Each moment of our lives presents an opportunity for us to seek fairness for everyone, to seek social justice for everyone. As Christians it is not enough to have definitions for words; we must also have understanding. We hear so many words every day, with so many being lost, misunderstood.

How often do we hear freedom, liberty, dignity, peace, liberation? How often do we really truly understand the context. It is not enough to have dictionary definitions; these words must ignite something within our souls and hearts; these words must provoke some universal thoughts for all mankind; these words ask us to look beyond our neighborhood, beyond our town, beyond our state, beyond our country; all human beings deserve the same basic things, freedom, peace, liberty, dignity.

Each day of our lives we should strive to help our neighbors, strive to become closer to God, strive to increase the goodness, kindness, and holiness which emanates from within us.

Technology does not change man’s basic instincts; human beings have always been sinners controlled and influenced by all types of desires and impulses. Jealousy, greed, selfishness can lead individuals and entire nations in the wrong direction. Archbishop spoke out against the injustice and the abuse of the poor people in El Salvador. By doing so he became a role model for us, reminding us to have compassion and empathy for our neighbors, reminding us to seek the Truth, share the Truth.

Thirty-one years ago today, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated while saying Mass.

he saw and believed - December 27, 2010

Waking up can be a little difficult this time of year for many unknown reasons. This is also a time for remembrance and reverence for all holy people who have believed, lived, and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This season asks each Christian to take a minute and count each blessing, each gift from God and to give thanks. The lessons within each reading point toward the universality of God's love. The message within each Mass presents the breadth of God's love for all of humanity. People on the right road will experience a little longing for Christ after hearing each Gospel reading. People on the right road will work to model their whole lives with a universal love, compassion, and sense of social justice. Each moment in their lives will bring more understanding, more wisdom. With effort each word of the Gospel can be understood. For the greatest gift of the season is developing the courage to be good, kind, and holy in the presence of both man and God.

Waking up can be a little difficult this time of year because everyone has something to complain about. This is not the time for heated discussions about God, the Eucharist, Jesus Christ, the Ten Commandments. This is a time for Love. This is a time for humility. This is a time to listen, not to be drawn into a paradox of excited opinion. This is a time for goodness, kindness, holiness. Each action of Christian, hopefully, will be pleasing to God. Rhetoric and grand speeches will not get a man or woman into heaven. Rhetoric and grand speeches will not make a man or woman holy. Rhetoric and grand speeches will fill the ears of the listeners with hollow sounds and unasked questions. There is always a need for penance, a need for Reconciliation with God. For some this time of year is a moment of extreme vanity when the spotlight shines on them, the parties they attend, the gifts they give, the gifts they receive. Although it might be difficult, please remember that this is a time to love and serve God. The true message of Christmas reminds each Christian of the necessity of patience and encourages each Christian to keep their gaze heavenward, to allow each step to lead them to the heavenly kingdom.

A Reflection on Luke 19

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10

Today’s Gospel reading is filled with great emotion. There is much sadness. There is a prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. The temple is important in this passage. Jesus throws the money changers out of the temple. Jesus teaches in the temple. Also, in the temple the chief priests and other leaders of the people plot how to kill Jesus. How busy that temple was. The temple was the center of life.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem he cried. Peace was hidden from Jerusalem. The city was busy, consumed with its daily activities. Life was not stopping. People were living their lives, behaving as their culture allowed them. The Jewish people were busy with their daily routines. Some of the Jews knew that Jesus was in Jerusalem. Some went to hear him speak. Some went to have him save them. Some stayed away from him. Some of the Jewish leaders in the temple, quietly, secretly plotted Jesus’ death. The conspirators are anonymous in this Gospel as they watch Jesus teaching in the temple.

In this Gospel, Jesus wept, Jesus drove the money changers from the temple, Jesus taught in the temple. Jesus wanted the temple to be a house of prayer, a place of worship and ministry. He did not want it to be a den of thieves, a place of commerce. The temple was God’s house.

Although there is despair and melancholy in this passage there also is hope. Jesus is not passive in this Gospel. He is very active, very aware of his world. It was important for him to teach in the temple. It was important for him to rid the temple of the den of thieves. It was important for the temple to be a house of God, a house of prayer. He did not have to go the temple. He did not have to confront the money changers. He did not have to teach in the temple. Each one of these actions his simple decision. He was simply doing what he had to do. People were listening to Jesus. People were learning from Jesus. He was simply being obedient, doing his duty, showing his fidelity and love to God.

Within the temple some men were plotting his death as he preached about salvation, loving your neighbor. This knowledge did not deter him from his mission. He had a job to do. He came to save mankind. He reached out to all who would listen. He offered love, hope, eternal life to all he believed and obeyed God’s commandments and laws.

How to Respond to God's Call

Like many educated people, Priests talk to themselves. Maybe it occurs because of Aristotle or Saint Augustine or Saint Benedict or Pope Pius. Priests are human beings, who like to learn, who like to teach, who live to serve, who live to love.

I sometimes wonder about all the lessons from the Gospels, all the teachings of social justice and fairness, if this crazy noisy world is able and ready to understand the responsibility that all human beings possess to live just lives of peace.

But whether we learn to love our neighbors as we love ourselves from listening to the Gospels and homilies, or from fresh devotion of Him Whom we have arrogantly abandoned, or from careful observation and careful imitation of His faithful followers, it properly presents a definite relationship with God. For it is Jesus Christ by his Passion who does provide both an example and definition of love to Whom we ought to be especially grateful and humble before as our undeniable exemplar; to Him we diligently, patiently direct our free will as our way to follow him. As Christians we must accept that throughout our lives that different types of temptation and sin will cause us to abandon God; our lives will filled with prayers of hope, prayers of forgiveness, prayers praising him, prayers professing our love in him. Blessed is the Christian whose life and actions reflect a natural, loving belief and faith in God.

Observing the simplicity of the Liturgy of the Eucharist—and that not only the spoken prayers, but even the unspoken prayers—implies that some type of basic compassion or love be shown towards all human beings, this word 'love' might attract some secular cynical ambiguity when defined by others who might not believe in God like we do; however we can assert with absolute confidence that love is necessary when we worship God. Love, then, will not limit our relationship to God; but encourage and inspire each of us to embrace our neighbors also.

But it is only by learning to freely share our "love" without desiring any reciprocal action that we will discover and/or recover our personal humanity; it is a lesson of sacrifice and suffering and forgiveness. There is a moment when we publicly accept our unworthiness and request forgiveness. A Christian life requires reconciliation.

Love, in Ecclesiastical terms, seems to direct each Christian, away from the individual, physical, and earthly self, toward goodness and God. This love does not seek to possess; it only seeks to serve.

Further, humility accompanies this love. Humility directs our actions toward service. Our lives must contain service for God and for our neighbors. As Christians we have a natural relationship and concern for social justice and fairness for all our neighbors. Humility with our neighbors can lead us to beautiful spiritual awakenings.

Lastly, faith in God and love of God and neighbor can lead us to salvation. Allow yourself a moment to relax and to pray in your local parish church. Allow yourself time for a religious retreat. Allow yourself to listen for God’s voice. Always make time for to listen for God’s call.

And then learn how to respond to God’s call.

Concerning Conversion

When, then, we ask why a crime was done, we believe it not, unless it appear that there might have been some desire of obtaining some of those which we called lower goods, or a fear of losing them. - St. Augustine


Each day each living person breaks one of God’s commandments thereby sinning and moving away from God. Sometimes these sins are small, sometimes they are great. But, all sins can be described as crimes against God. Sin must be mentioned during any discussion concerning conversion, redemption, and salvation. The Holy Trinity exists and provides lessons and examples of holiness for us to imitate. True understanding of the Holy Trinity requires loving humility and a loving desire to respect and serve God; pleasure in life is not found in earthly delights but in the glory and power of the Lord. All Christians learn that both goodness and holiness are created by both actions and statements; goodness and holiness create a good life when sincerity and humility are present. The Holy Trinity reminds faithful Christians of God’s place in their hearts, minds, and souls. The Holy Trinity reminds loving Christians of God’s power and glory. The Holy Trinity reminds upright Christians of God’s forgiveness and mercy. Contrition is necessary for all Christians; repentance before God for all sins against his laws is required and necessary for good spiritual development.

The ultimate goal for all Christians is to love and serve only God. When that occurs, the highest wisdom becomes available to us, the earthly world loses it charms, and we move forward, closer to the gates of Heaven.

Further, it is easy to cull from the Gospels the salient points of Christ’s teachings on fairness, social justice and to present them in an easy to understand format. But still some of the lessons lose their force because of the current morality thought which downplays sins while raising up the scientific belief of natural behavior. Individual responsibility and free will are lost within latinate words and pompous sentences. All men are human beings. All human beings are sinners. No latinate or psychological constructions can change that basic truth. All sinners are responsible for their sins. All Christians should read the Bible and reflect upon what they have read; Christians should form their own opinions on the Word of God; this requires patience and fortitude. It is currently fashionable to question the validity of Christ, the validity of God because of the notion of the “self-made man.”

But, remember that this religion, Christianity is a religion. Remember to always keep reverence and love for this religion in your hearts. Allow it to change your ideas, teach you how to hope, love, pray. This religion asks for the passion and obedience of its believers. This religion asks for the diligence and witness of its believers. This religion asks for the humility and charity of its believers. This religion offers forgiveness, redemption, salvation. All Catholics should listen to and then learn and then affirm the Eucharist prayers. Within those words are honest yearning to be God’s humble servant while acknowledging the unworthiness of the desire because of simple fact that each person is human and all humans are sinners who need forgiveness and understanding. All Catholics have the free will and the responsibility to choose when to go to confession, when to accept Holy Communion, when to attend Mass, when to pray.

All Catholics have to navigate around all types of sin and vice in their daily lives. Modern life is often chaotic. The secular world presents many options, many temptations to distract and/or divert our affection and attention from God. This is to be expected; the Bible provides lessons on how to fortify the loving and humble heart and soul.

Patience and prayer can lead to wisdom.