28 January 2014

The Joy of the Gospel

Last evening, I had the opportunity to speak at the North Hills Theology on Tap on the subject of Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, "The Joy of the Gospel".

As I reminded the folks a few times, it's a long document: 85 pages if printed from the computer, and 284 paragraphs. In sad honesty (because I hate to admit this), I crammed reading it over two days, but I got through it.

And it's readable . . . so I would recommend that you do!

But if you can't and want a somewhat quick synopsis, I would like to offer you the following. Below are my notes from last night (a little annotated to help along), and they'll give you a little "taste" or "flare" of my presentation last night.

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"The Joy of the Gospel"
Presentation to the North Hills Theology on Tap
Monday, 27 January 2014

- Apostolic Exhortation? --- A form of teaching within the Church; not an encyclical, which focuses in on a particular subject, but is a reflection from a report or notes given to the Pope from an event, in this case, the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization

- Francis' "flare" --- Quotes Benedict XVI a number of times; shows continuity in the thought from "the Chair of Peter"

- "Catholic" in approach --- Uses sources from all corners of the world (US, Brazil, Asia, etc.)

-  Opening sentence sets the tone for the work: "The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus."

- What is "joy"? --- Inner disposition of having encountered Jesus Christ in our lives

(- Example: Mary Magdalene at the tomb on the first Easter)

- Result from that encounter with Christ is to share the joy with everyone . . . which is EVANGELIZATION

- Three settings for the joy of the New Evangelization:
     1. Those active in the Faith;
     2. Those fallen away from the practice of the Faith; and
     3. Those who don't know or reject Jesus Christ.

- Chapter One focuses on the "Church's Missionary Transformation"

- Evangelization is at the heart of Who and What the Church is

- All of her pastoral activities are rooted in it, because it brings us to that encounter with Christ and the call / His call to conversion

- Yet this is an action which come from the Heart of the Gospel and a Mother (the Church) who has an Open Heart

- Yet Francis recognizes (as does the Church) our human limitations

                         (Which brings us to . . .)

- Chapter Two's development of the understanding that we are called to evangelize "Amid the Crisis of Communal Commitment"

- Problems of today's world:
     > Economy and Idolatry of Money
     > Cultural Challenges
     > Inculturating the Faith
     > Urban Cultures

- Francis also addresses in this chapter "Temptations Faced by Pastoral Workers" (i.e., arrogance, complacency, lording one's "power", etc.)

- Chapter Three focuses on the "Proclamation of the Gospel"

- EVERYONE is called to proclaim the Gospel

- Not just the pastors of the Church, but all the baptized are called to "smell like the sheep" (understanding the environments we find ourselves in) [used earlier in the work]

- Pope Francis devotes a nice section talking to the pastors of the Church (priests, and even deacons) on the homily: what it is, how it should be approached within the liturgical celebration, how we should prepare it (prayer, timing, message, etc.)

(- Encourage those gathered to have their priests / deacons read, understand, and implement this section . . . for the good of their people!)

- Kerygma --- What is it? --- Francis: "first announcement" --- also "proclaim" or "preaching" --- can be both active and passive, as we proclaim and how we receive the proclamation --- foundation for building our relationship with Christ --- the kerygma must be the solid ground to build our faith upon

- Chapter Four deals with the "Social Dimension of Evangelization"

- Communal and Societal Repercussions of the Kerygma

- The Inclusion of the Poor in Society

- The Common Good and Peace in Society

- Social Dialogue as a Contribution to Peace
     > Faith, Science and Reason
     > Ecumenical Dialogue
     > Judaism
     > Interreligious Dialogue
     > Social Dialogue in a Context of Religious Freedom

- Chapter Five brings us to consider why we are called to be "Spirit-Filled Evangelizers"

- Reasons for a "renewed missionary impulse"
     > Personal encounter with the saving love of Jesus
     > The spiritual savor of being a people
     > Mysterious workings of the risen Christ and his Spirit
     > The missionary power of intercessory prayer

- Mary, Mother of Evangelization / Star of the New Evangelization

- Close with prayer from EG


Mary, Virgin and Mother,
you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,
welcomed the word of life
in the depths of your humble faith:
as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,
help us to say our own “yes”
to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,
to proclaim the good news of Jesus.


Filled with Christ’s presence,
you brought joy to John the Baptist,
making him exult in the womb of his mother.
Brimming over with joy,
you sang of the great things done by God.
Standing at the foot of the cross
with unyielding faith,
you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection,
and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit
so that the evangelizing Church might be born.


Obtain for us now a new ardor born of the resurrection,
that we may bring to all the Gospel of life
which triumphs over death.
Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,
that the gift of unfading beauty
may reach every man and woman.


Virgin of listening and contemplation,
Mother of love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast,
pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are,
that she may never be closed in on herself
or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom.


Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.


Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
pray for us.


Amen. Alleluia!




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Enjoy the journey . . .

 

25 January 2014

Rise and Shine



Homily for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
26 January 2014

          Did you ever notice how the change of one letter, one word or one phrase could alter the meaning of an entire document? More importantly, did you notice the change from our First Reading to the Gospel?

        Most likely, you didn’t. But don’t worry . . . I didn’t notice it at first, either. But it’s a change which gives us great insight into what the ministry of Jesus is all about.

        In our First Reading, Isaiah mentions that “upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” Yet, when Matthew quotes the Prophet in his Gospel, we hear: “on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” Not much of a change on the first look, but, taking a second glance, there’s something more than meets the eye.

        Our main difference is between “has shone” and “has arisen”. “To shine” and “to rise” are two different things. Think about that morning greeting we’ve all received at least once in our lives: One must first rise before he or she can shine.

        Yes, we can all agree that Jesus is “[our] light and [our] salvation”, “the light that shines in the darkness”, and the “light to the nations” (as we heard last week). Yet we must also remember those examples of the Old Testament by which the Light has shone for the people of Israel in so many ways: the column of fire which led them through the desert, the light of the midday sun given to Joshua until the end of his battle with the Amorites at Gibeon, or the light shining those eight days of the Maccabean revolt when there was enough oil for one night, among other examples.

        But that light had to come from somewhere; that flame needed to rise from a position to guide, protect and illuminate. The Light had to rise before it could shine.

        Our Gospel passage today finds us at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. These are those charismatic, quiet and sacred moments in which Jesus begins to draw all people to Himself. Here is where the Light rises amidst the darkness of the world’s sin and confusion. Though the happening of the Incarnation introduces the Light into the world, this is the moment, at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, where the Light rises, as some Biblical commentators suggest.

        And this is where Andrew, Peter, James and John meet Jesus – at the dawn of His public ministry. As Christ, the Light, dawns upon the Earth in bringing the eternal love of God to His creation in the flesh, so that same Light rises to scatter the dominion of sin and death from all that is created. This dawning of learning Who this Jesus is is not something that is necessarily to be kept within the pages of Scripture. Rather, just as the knowledge of Who Jesus is dawned in the minds and hearts of those He called two thousand years ago, so, now, we must allow the Light of Christ to dawn, to rise in our lives. His Light can’t shine if we don’t let it rise.

        If we have failed to allow that Light which saves us to dawn, then we will not be able to have that Light to shine to guide us to the fullness of salvation. If we keep blocking the Light due to our sinfulness, our pride, our dancing with temptation, then we need to destroy those things which block the Light from shining through.

        When was the last time we availed ourselves of the graces of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

        When was the last time we came an extra fifteen minutes early to Mass to spend time in prayer?

        When was the last time we stayed after Mass to offer a thanksgiving to God for all the blessings He’s given to us?

        When was the last time we stopped by the church to make a short visit to the Blessed Sacrament?

        When was the last time we turned off the devices we own, powered down our lives and spent some time in quiet solitude with our God?

        My brothers and sisters, through our Baptism and participation at this Mass, we allow the Light of the Lord to once again rise within our lives, especially through Word and Sacrament. Yet, the sinful ways that we cling to continue to diminish how bright that Light will be to guide us from this life to the next. Jesus, as he did with the brothers on the Sea of Galilee, invites us to follow Him . . . BUT we have to abandon all the tricks of the smokescreens and mirrors that deflect the true Light of God from entering into our lives, making it impossible for the Light to guide us; making it impossible for us to follow the Lord.

        My friends, have we truly allowed the Light to rise in our lives?

        If we have, have we truly allowed the Light to shine in our lives?

        If we haven’t, what must we do to allow the Light to scatter the darkness in our lives?

        How do we allow the darkness of temptation and sin to block that divine Light from penetrating our deepest self?

        Do we, then, rise and shine to become the light which guides others to the full knowledge, compassion, and love of God?

        Or do we permit ourselves to lay dormant, being deceived by the smokescreens and mirrors, the “razzle dazzle performances” that either society or the Devil bring before us?

        As we will be reminded next week with the celebration of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Light of Christ has dawned, has risen in the world with the Incarnation. Now, through His ministry, He allows that Light to shine. And not just two thousand years ago, and not just with Andrew and Peter and James and John, but now, in January of 2014, calling each one to follow the Light so as to shine that same Light into the hearts of all mankind.

        To be a light, then, is to first receive the Light. And so, we pray:

O Holy Spirit of God, take me as Your disciple: guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me. Bind my hands that they may do no evil; cover my eyes that they may see it no more; sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell within me. Be You my God; be You my guide. Wherever You lead me I will go; whatever You forbid me I will renounce; and whatever You command me in Your strength I will do. Lead me, then, unto the fullness of Your truth. Amen.
 







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Enjoy the journey . . .

(I apologize if the homily is a little choppy or doesn't flow too well. Writing a homily and trying to maintain spiritual focus while ill is a bit of a challenge.)

18 January 2014

"Who Is Jesus?"



Homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
19 January 2014


        When I would teach Morality classes for the Diocese, one particular co-teacher and I would use a DVD segment called “Who Is Jesus?” This clip from a Scripture series asked random people on the street about who they believed Jesus to be. The answers that the people gave covered a wide spectrum from “our Lord and Savior who died on the Cross for our sins” to a “modern-day scapegoat”, and from “a person who existed that continues to enrich the lives of people every day” to “a dude . . . lived back in the day . . . pretty awesome; had a beard”.

        No matter what the answer these individuals, we or society may give, we’re still left with the same question: Who is Jesus? And it’s a question that must be answered.

        Beginning with the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord two weeks ago and ending two Sundays from now on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we find ourselves today in the middle of a five-Sunday run in which we are introduced to this man named Jesus, learning about who He is and what He’s all about.

        Our Scripture passages this day give us a few ideas of who Jesus is. In our First Reading, Isaiah points to the one who is the Lord’s “servant”, the one who is to be the “light to the nations.” In our Gospel, John the Baptist points out the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” This last of the prophets also recognizes Jesus as the “man who is coming after [him] who ranks ahead of [him] because He (Christ) existed before [him].” John also plainly points to Jesus as the “Son of God.”

        Yet the question remains: Who is Jesus? For us, as Catholic Christians, we believe that He is much more than “a dude [who] lived back in the day [and who was] pretty awesome.” For us, Jesus Christ IS the Light to the Nations; He IS the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world; He IS the Son of God, and even more, God, Himself.

        In pointing out Jesus to whom we presume are Andrew and John, John the Baptist does so, so that his disciples would search this Jesus out, so that they would follow Him. The goal of not just these five weeks, but, rather, the goal of all time within the Church is to do the same thing: to point out the presence of Christ in this world so that we and others may follow Him to the promises of the next life.

        If we’re going to follow Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions, then we’re going to have to find out Who He is. Yes, part of that – the most primary and essential part – is to encounter Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Yet we cannot simply stop there. When a couple begins to date, do they only spend one hour a week together? No! Of course not! They spend as much time together as they can, learning all about who this other person is. (And, of course, this is a process of discovery which must last well into the marriage.)

        So, too, must we spend as much time with Jesus as possible. We must do so, so that we not only become more familiar with Jesus, but also because, like John the Baptist, we must be able to point Him out when He makes His presence known. Otherwise, when people approach us asking the question, “Who is Jesus?”, we don’t sound as foolish as those saying that He was “a dude [who] lived back in the day” or “a pretty cool guy who had a peaceful philosophy.” Rather, with heads held high, we can say that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Light to the Nations, the Son of God. If we wish to make the words of the Psalmist our own (“Here I am, Lord; I come to do Your will.”), then we need to come to know Who the Lord is. For if we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who prayed these words to the Father, then we need to know how secure our relationship to the Lord truly is – or is not!

        As we prepare to receive Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, we are forced to answer the question of “Who is Jesus?” But this isn’t just a question that we come to answer only once and we’re done with it. No! Rather it is a question that we must answer every moment of our lives. And it is a question that we must be diving deeper into as a member of the Body of Christ.

        So, then, who is Jesus?

        Is He a “modern-day scapegoat”?

        Is He the “Light to the Nations”?

        Is He “a guy with a unique, positive message that gave a lot of people a lot of hope”?

        Is He the “servant” of the Lord?

        Is He “a dude [who] lived back in the day [who was] pretty awesome [and] had a beard”?

        Is He “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world”?

        If we are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we must not be shy in answering the question of “Who is Jesus?”, both as individuals and as members of His Body. This is the first step in falling in love with our Lord and living as His Beloved. Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI reminds us:

“Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but an encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction” (Deus Caritas Est, 1).

And that event, that person is Jesus Christ.
 







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Enjoy the journey . . .