Tag Archives: commandments

♫“All We Need is (fill in the blank), Dah, Da, Da, Da, Dah ?!”♫ – Mark 12:28b-34†

31^stSunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Content:

·        Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations

·        Joke of the Day

·        Today’s Gospel Reading

·        Gospel Reflection

·        Reflection Prayer

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Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations:

“Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions For 2012”

General Intention: For ministers of the Gospel.

That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord.

Missionary Intention: For the Pilgrim Church.

That the pilgrim Church on earth may shine as a light to the nations.

Next Tuesday, November 4^th, is “Election Day”. I believe this is probably one of the major events of Christendom. This date will literally effect how are community of faith will be allowed to identify itself, and how we, as individuals, will be able to practice our faith in our private and public lives.

I fear for my Church and my ability to show my faith!! It is being attacked overtly and covertly from many fronts today – – both secular and political. There are two things we all MUST do for our own sakes, and for the sake of our Catholic faith: we need to pray (especially the Holy Rosary), and we need to vote with true Catholic values, virtues, and faith in mind.

Remember, are you saying to God, “Thy will be done” when it really means, “My will be done“?

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Joke of the Day:

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Today’s reflection: Jesus is questioned by a Scribe about the greatest commandment. How well do you know – – and LIVE – – this “greatest of commandments”?

(NAB Mark 12:28-34) ²⁸ One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” ²⁹ Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! ³⁰ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” ³² The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ ³³ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴ And when Jesus saw that [he] answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Gospel Reflection:

Whoa, last Sunday, we were reading about the “blind man” who receives his vision through his faith, from the tenth chapter of Mark’s Gospel. And now, today, we have jumped way over to the end of the twelfth chapter. If we were to read Chapters 11 and the first part of Chapter 12, we would hear about:

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem;
His cleansing the Temple of merchants; and,
Previous questions of His “authority” and interpretations concerning “paying taxes” and “resurrection of the dead” by the Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders.

The context, therefore, for today’s Gospel is one of Jesus’ growing exposure and popularity with the pious Jews before the Jewish Temple leaders. Thus, Jesus is being questioned and tested by the Jewish authorities, attempting to find a weakness to exploit in Jesus’ teaching of faith. Surprisingly, the Scribe who addresses Jesus in today’s Gospel seems to be (or has become) an admirer.

Jesus’ “Words” are very simple and beautiful. He tells us we should have a faith of inclusivity and welcome, not that of rules and regulations – – EVERYONE should be welcome!! We are told in today’s reading of Jesus’ teaching on two commandments: loving God and each other. How hard is Jesus’ “Words” to truly abide by? Well, I sense that many times in our lives, our faith is based NOT on loving each other as God loves us, but instead, on deciding who is IN and who is OUT of our lives.

Today’s Gospel reading is a dialogue between Jesus and a Scribe who is impressed by the way in which Jesus has conducted Himself in answering the question asked of Him:

“Which is the first of all the commandments?” (Mark 12:28).

This devoutly pious Scribe (a “scholar [or interpreter] of Mosaic Law”) compliments Jesus for the answer He gives him (Mark 12:32). This Scribe is said by Jesus to be “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34).

The Temple Leaders prided themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual requirements. They made it a life-time practice to study the 613 precepts of Jewish Scripture (our Old Testament), along with the numerous rabbinic commentaries THEY created. I believe this particular Scribe – – this inquisitor – – was on a mission from the Pharisees, testing Jesus by asking his specific question, a question the Pharisees believed would be impossible to answer correctly. However, Jesus’ response or answer, by repeating Moses words, caused NO conflict whatsoever with the Scribes’ Jewish religious teaching. The Scribes reaction to Jesus’ is one of praise for Him.

Why would the question asked by the Scribe be impossible to answer correctly? Well, for the devout Jew, ALL the commandments (and there were 613 of them) were to be kept with equal obedience and care. There really is NO “first of all commandments” for the pious Jew. This question required Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many additional commandments, numbering 613 precepts or laws. For a devout Jew, adherence to the Mosaic Law is a continuous, life-long attempt at expressing one’s faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel through very specific behaviors. The ranking of these commandments was regularly debated among the teachers of Mosaic Law: but ALL laws were treated as equal in observance.

Jesus startled the Pharisee with His profoundly simple answer; and, with His obvious mastery of Mosaic Law – – Jesus’ answer revealed its true purpose. So, Jesus is revealing that God simply requires of us to love as He loves, and that God is pure love; and that everything He does flows from His love for us! God loved us first and our love for Him is a response to His personal, uniquely intimate way of expressing His exceeding mercy, grace, and loving kindness towards each of us.

Interestingly, Jesus was not the only Jewish religious teacher – – rabbi during this time – – to connect these two commandments: first, the “love of God”, and second, the “love of neighbor”. Both of these commandments were (and are) central elements of Jewish religious tradition from which Jesus learned in His youth, from His foster-father and the rabbi of Nazareth. So, Jesus, along with ALL observant Jews (and still today), were educated on this specific precept from Deuteronomy regarding the love of God:

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).

Since the “Lord alone” is God, “Israel” (the Jewish “chosen” people) need to love Him with an undivided heart, being, and strength. Indeed, even still today, this commandment (and the other love commandment) continues to be the central aspect of contemporary Jewish religious understanding.

The second commandment, “love of neighbor”, is a precept from Leviticus:

“Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your own people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18);

Jesus’ response to His questioners proposed a fundamental and vital connection between these two precepts from Mosaic Law. “Love of God” finds its expression IN OUR “love for neighbor”. I suspect however, that this integral linking of these two commandments was perceived in a newly rejuvenated and fresh way when Jesus taught on this issue in today’s reading. There had to have been at least one “Ah-ha” moment for this Scribe during this discourse with Jesus. The “love of God” comes first, and the “love of neighbor” is firmly grounded IN the “love of God”. The more we know of God’s love and truth → the more we love what He loves → and reject what is harmful, hateful, and contrary to His loving will and plan for each of us.

For this curious and discerning Scribe, Jesus illustrated, through His answer, the superiority of love over legalism from God’s (and from Moses’) point of view. The “love of God” must engage the total person (heart, mind, and soul). However, Jesus goes beyond the extent of the question put to Him, joining to the greatest and first commandment, a second commandment, that of “love of neighbor”:

“Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your own people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18).

The double commandment is the source from which the “whole law” flows.

A part of the Scribe’s reply to Jesus puzzled me:

“‘To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33).

I believe the Scribe was alluding to Psalm 40:

“Sacrifice and offering you do not want; you opened my ears. Holocaust and sin-offering you do not request; so I said, ‘See; I come with an inscribed scroll written upon me. I delight to do your will, my God; your law is in my inner being!’” (Psalm 40:7–9).

Obedience to God’s law of love is far better than any “burnt offering and sacrifice”. I believe that Saint Paul understood this law of love taking precedence over the laws of “burnt offerings”. Here is what he writes:

“For this reason, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight in. Then I said, “As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God.”’ First He says, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.’ These are offered according to the law. Then he says, ‘Behold, I come to do your will.’ He takes away the first to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:5-9).

Notice, Jesus identifies Himself as the “ONE” “written” about “in the scrolls”; Jesus reveals the primacy of loving God (and neighbor) over the value of “holocausts and sin offerings”, which (Jesus reveals) God really “did not desire” nor “delighted in”. So, Paul understood God, through Jesus Christ, was taking away the first laws of legalism to establish the NEW law of LOVE!!

Therefore, Jesus Christ is taking away the “burnt offering and sacrifice”, establishing Himself as the new “Sacrifice”, redeeming ALL from the sin of this world!!! This is AWESOME!!!

No wonder then that with the last verse in today’s dialogue, the debate with the Jewish authorities comes to an abrupt end:

“No one dared to ask Him any more questions” (Mark 12:34).

Were the Temple leaders finally humbled by Jesus’ “Words”? I don’t think so. Envy still had a tight grasp on many of the Pharisees and Scribes, as we will see when Jesus is arrested after the “Last Supper”.

The Scribe who questions Jesus in today’s Gospel engaged in a positive dialogue with Him, giving Jesus the opportunity to express an important – – the MOST important – – precept or law of, from, and about God!. What is interesting for me is that most Catholics (and other Christians) today believed Jesus was hated by all the Temple leaders; absolutely NOT TRUE!! I suspect Jesus had MANY friends and advocates among the three groups of Temple leaders: the Pharisees, the Scribes (who were the interpreters and lawyers for the Pharisees), and the Sadducees.

This Individual Scribe agreed with Jesus’ teaching about “loving God” and “loving neighbor” being the first and greatest of commandments. He agreed with Jesus that these two “connected” laws or precepts even surpass the 613 commandments having to do with certain behaviors for surviving in the desert and other laws pertaining to animal and other sacrifices in the Temple.

From Jesus’ response to the Scribe’s question, we learn that faith in God – – and hope in His promises – – strengthen us in expressing our “love of God”, for God, and for our neighbor (and even for ourselves). Faith, hope, and love are essential for a good and proper relationship with God. Faith, hope, and love unites each of us with Him in a unique and intimate way. The more we know of God – – the more we love Him – – and the more we love God, the greater we believe and hope in His promises.

Jesus Christ, through the grace and actions of the Holy Spirit, gives to each of us a new freedom to love as He Himself loves!! Is there anything keeping you from the “love of God” and the JOY of serving others with a generous heart? If so, remove it for your existence, for nothing is more important than the “love of God”. Let us remember what Saint Paul said in his letter to the Romans:

“Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us (Romans 5:5

As Catholic Christians, our moral behavior should be guided by the two-part commandment taught by Jesus in today’s Gospel: “love God” and “love your neighbor as yourself”. I believe many of us use this “love” framework within the “greatest of the commandments” as an examination of conscience each night and during each Sacrament of Reconciliation. By examining our lives through the auspices of these two universal commandments, we learn of the challenges in following these precepts as well. We often desire to NOT follow these coupled laws; but in our capacity as faith-filled Catholic Christians, we need to attempt at consistently honoring these commandments in our daily lives, renewing this commitment DAILY, and sometimes even moment-to-moment.

So, here is a challenge for each of you; let me know how successful you are in executing this challenge. For one week, identify and collect news reports of how Christians (not just Catholics, but ALL Christians) show their love for God by loving and serving their neighbor. (This will definitely be a challenge with our present secular news agencies and their anti-religious bias.)

Think about ways in which you might contribute to the examples of “Christian service” which you hopefully found in the news reports. Choose one of the actions you came up with or discovered in your search, and do the action yourself. Let me know what action you came up with, and how you executed that action in your life and area.

Finally, let us pray together in asking for God’s help in showing our love to our family, friends, and others we meet. IT’S JUST THAT SIMPLE!!!

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Reflection Prayer:

“Act of Love”

“O my God,
I love you above all things
with my whole heart and soul,
because you are all good
and worthy of all my love.
I love my neighbor as myself
for the love of you.
I forgive all who have injured me
and I ask pardon
of those whom I have injured.
Amen.”

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Posted by Dan Halley,, OFS. Categories: Apologetics, Bible History, Catholic Church, Humor/Joke, Meditation, Prayer, Quote/Joke, Scripture. Tags: all, alone, apologetics, Bible History, burnt, Catholic, commandments, dared, Death, disputing, far, father, first, formation, Franciscan, Frustration, God, hear, heard, heart, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Intercession, Israel, Jesus, Journey, kingdom, Knowledge, life, Lord, love, mind, neighbor, offering, OFS, OFS Rule, One, Prayer, questions, Reflection, sacrifices, Saint, scribes, second, shall, Sin, Sorrow, Soul, St. francis, strength, Teach, Teacher, understanding, Words, worth, Worthy, yourself. Leave a comment

Oct. ’12

“Is it YOU to God, or, God to YOU, Who IS Saying ‘YOUR will be done’?!” – Mark 10:17-30†

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Sunday of the Year of Faith

Today’s Content:

·        Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations

·        Joke of the Day

·        Today’s Gospel Reading

·        Gospel Reflection

·        Reflection Prayer

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Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations:

The following is a letter I wish to convey to you from my OFS Regions Justice and Peace Commissioner, Mike DePue, OFS:

During October we have the Feast of Francis. October is the month of the Rosary [as well]. October 11^th, in the traditional calendar was the feast of the Divine Maternity of Mary, and Pope Benedict has noted that when Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council on this day in 1962, he “wanted to entrust the entire council to the motherly hands, to the motherly heart of the Virgin Mary.” Also in October, the Eastern Churches celebrate the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God.

Sadly, our society still has many persons who need the protection of Our Mother – – and of those of us willing to express concern. So, we need to note that October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a web page called When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women (http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/domestic-violence/when-i-call-for-help.cfm). The bishops address this statement to several audiences, including “society, which has made some strides towards recognizing the extent of domestic violence against women.”

Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that your locality is immune from this social ill. The only fundamental question is: What will be your Franciscan response?

Pax et Bonum,
Mike DePue, OFS

PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR THE “YEAR OF FAITH”

Per a decree made public on October 5^th, 2012 in Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI will grant a Plenary Indulgence for the occasion of the “Year of Faith”. The indulgence will be valid from the opening of the Year on 11 October 2012 until its end on 24 November 2013.

“The day of the fiftieth anniversary of the solemn opening of Vatican Council II”, the text reads, “the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has decreed the beginning of a Year especially dedicated to the profession of the true faith and its correct interpretation, through the reading of – or better still the pious meditation upon – the Acts of the Council and the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church”.

“During the Year of Faith, which will last from 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013, Plenary Indulgence for the temporal punishment of sins, imparted by the mercy of God and applicable also to the souls of deceased faithful, may be obtained by all faithful who, truly penitent, take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

“(A) Each time they attend at least three sermons during the Holy Missions, or at least three lessons on the Acts of the Council or the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in church or any other suitable location.

“(B) Each time they visit, in the course of a pilgrimage, a papal basilica, a Christian catacomb, a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith (for example, minor basilicas and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Apostles or patron saints), and there participate in a sacred celebration, or at least remain for a congruous period of time in prayer and pious meditation, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, depending on the circumstances, to the Holy Apostles and patron saints.

“(C) Each time that, on the days designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith, … in any sacred place, they participate in a solemn celebration of the Eucharist or the Liturgy of the Hours, adding thereto the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form.

“(D) On any day they chose, during the Year of Faith, if they make a pious visit to the baptistery, or other place in which they received the Sacrament of Baptism, and there renew their baptismal promises in any legitimate form.

“Diocesan or eparchal bishops, and those who enjoy the same status in law, on the most appropriate day during that period or on the occasion of the main celebrations, … may impart the papal blessing with the Plenary Indulgence”.

The document concludes by recalling how faithful who, due to illness or other legitimate cause, are unable to leave their place of adobe, may still obtain Plenary Indulgence “if, united in spirit and thought with other faithful, and especially at the times when the words of the Supreme Pontiff and diocesan bishops are transmitted by television or radio, they recite … the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and other prayers which concord with the objectives of the Year of Faith, offering up the suffering and discomfort of their lives”.

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Joke of the Day:

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Today’s reflection: A man with many possessions asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. What must YOU DO to gain eternal life? Are you ready to give up ALL, to become a “slave” for Christ to gain eternal life … REALLY?!

(NAB Mark 10:17-30) ¹⁷ As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” ²⁰ He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” ²¹ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” ²² At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. ²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to pass through [the] eye of [a] needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” ²⁸ Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” ²⁹ Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel ³⁰ who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.

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Gospel Reflection:

Today, we continue reading in Mark’s Gospel from where we left off last Sunday. In last Sunday’s reading, Jesus was tested by the Pharisees in regard to the requirements for divorce per Jewish Law. At this time period, Jesus was journeying to Jerusalem.

Still travelling, in today’s Gospel, an “unnamed man” approaches Jesus and inquires about what he must do to “inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17). Jesus replies that he must follow the commandments of the Law of Moses. This is not an unusual statement as this command had been followed for centuries by pious Jews. So, the man acknowledges that he has obviously observed all of these “Laws” since his childhood. Jesus then says to the man that only one thing is lacking: he must give his possessions to the poor and follow Him [Jesus]. The man leaves Jesus in sadness because he owned many possessions which he obviously cherished greatly.

My question to you: “Is it surprising that Jesus put a condition on what had been ‘Mosaic Law’ for centuries prior to Jesus’ arrival?” My answer is NO, it is not surprising at all! Jesus had added “conditions” in the past when teaching the beatitudes, and even added conditions in last week’s dialogue in regard to divorce.

So, this “unknown man” approaches Jesus and says:

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)

Jesus answered him,

“Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone” (Mark 10:18).

Jesus is rejecting the term “good” for Himself and directs it instead to God the Father, the true source of all goodness – – and, who alone can grant the gift of eternal life. The theme Jesus is going to reveal is that if you wish to enter into life in the kingdom of God, you need to keep the commandments of paramount importance in your life:

“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother’” (Mark 10:17-30).

The “unknown man” had the best the secular world could offer – wealth and security. However, he came to Jesus because he lacked something. He wanted a lasting peace and happiness which NO money could buy him. The answer he received from Jesus however, was not what he was looking for in his quest for peace. (Remember, God has a unique sense of humor at times.) This “unknown man” swore to Jesus that he kept all the required commandments. However, Jesus spoke to him of the underlying dilemma in his heart and soul. Only one thing kept him from giving himself totally and completely to God. While he lacked for nothing materialistically, he was nonetheless selfishly overprotective of what he had acquired in his life. He placed his hope and security in what he possessed materialistically, not spiritually! His priority was values of this world, not the next!

Jesus makes two requirements of this wealthy man who approached Him (and even for all of us today):

“Sell what you have, and give to [the] poor … then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21).

The first requirement is that he must give up his possessions in order to “inherit eternal life”. Throughout history, many Christians have taken this requirement literally word-for-word. Those who have given up ALL possessions, like St. Francis of Assisi, have showed witness to a fundamentally extreme commitment to the Gospel of Jesus. Others have read this passage as a particular requirement directed solely to this specific “unknown man” in today’s reading. And, still others have sought to explain the meaning intended in this passage as giving up those things and items preventing one from following Jesus (I believe this is the most popular and common belief).

Christians have generally understood that following Jesus required believers to hold material possessions “with a loose knot”, and to remain vigilant against seeking security in accumulating material possessions. The Rule for Secular Franciscans mentions freeing oneself from material needs in two of its 26 articles: 11 and 12:

11. Trusting the Father, Christ chose for Himself and His mother a poor and humble life, even though He valued created things attentively and lovingly. Let the Secular Franciscans seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying their own material needs. Let them be mindful that according to the gospel they are stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God’s children.

Thus, in the spirit of the Beatitudes, and as pilgrims and strangers on their way to the home of the Father, they should strive to purify their hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power;

12. Witnessing to the good yet to come and obligated to acquire purity of heart because of the vocation they have embraced, they should set themselves free to love God and their brothers and sisters.

The second requirement for inheriting “eternal life” is the exact same invitation given to this “unknown man” as is extended to ALL would-be disciples, then and NOW: “follow me” (Mark 10:21). Jesus very much wants this “unknown man” to be a disciple of His; Jesus wants ALL of us to be disciples of His!! The Catholic Christian faith is one in which each distinct and unique individual believer is in a personal, intimate, and unique relationship with Jesus Christ Himself. Just as today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus loves the “unknown man” and is sad when this man departs, so too, Jesus loves us and is saddened when we are unable to follow Him – – when we turn our backs to Him.

When Jesus challenged the “unknown man” to make God his one true possession and treasure, he became troubled and saddened. With distress and sadness in his heart and on his soul, he turned his back on Jesus, walking away from Him. Hmm, why did he turn away from Jesus with sadness rather than stay with Him with joy? I believe his treasure and his hope for happiness were certainly mislaid; his treasure and hope were in his material items. Out of a deep, underlying fear for losing what he had gained in this world, he was afraid to give to others. This “unknown man” sought happiness and security in his worldly items rather than in Jesus Christ, whom he could love, serve, and give of himself in a devotion of true faith.

The words of Jesus about entering the kingdom of God surely provoked a jaw-dropping, bewildering shock among His disciples:

“’How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ … It is easier for a camel to pass through [the] eye of [a] needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God’” (Mark 10:23-25).

Do you know why I say these Men (and women) were confused and unnerved by Jesus’ “Words”? Because His “Words” seem to contradict Hebrew Scriptures concept in which wealth and material goods were considered a sign of God’s favor. Here are just three examples:

“Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land” (Job 1:10);

“Blessed are all who fear the LORD, and who walk in his ways. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be blessed and prosper” (Psalm 128:1–2);

“Happy the just, for it will go well with them, the fruit of their works they will eat.” (Isaiah 3:10).

The Old Testament often speaks of God offering material rewards for observance of His laws. This, I believe, was because the “future life” was not yet revealed to them receiving the “heavenly” reward prior to Jesus’ role as redeemer of the world. It was therefore taken for granted, in spite of opposing evidence, that riches were a sign of God’s favor. (One very popular television evangelist still preaches this exact notion every Sunday.)

So, why does Jesus tell His followers to “sell all” for the treasure of “eternal life” in His kingdom? Well, “treasure” has a special connection to the heart; it is the thing we as human-beings most set our heart on to be our highest treasure. Jesus Christ Himself is the greatest treasure we can ever obtain and can ever possess, and should be our HIGHEST possession.

Since wealth, power, and advantage generated a false sense of security and sanctuary among God’s children, Jesus rejects them outright as a claim to enter God’s kingdom. In reality, achievement of God’s salvation is beyond any human capability. God’s salvation depends solely on the mercy and goodness of God the Father, who offers His claim to salvation and heaven freely TO ALL – – as a gift to be accepted:

“Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” (Mark 10:27).

Those who are generous towards God – – and His children, our neighbors – – will find they cannot be out-given in return by God. His generous return to us will always be greater than what we give to others of His “children”. God blesses us, and graces us NOW, with treasures from His kingdom. They are:

(1) Freedom from the clutching force, fear, and power of sin; from selfishness and pride opposing His love and grace in our lives;

(2) Freedom from loneliness, isolation, and rejection keeping us from living together in love, peace, and unity; and,

(3) Freedom of hopelessness, despair, and disillusionment blinding our vision of God’s magnificent power to heal every hurt, to bind every wound, and to remove every blemish injury the image of the Trinitarian God within each of us.

God the Father offers to each of us – – personally, intimately, and uniquely – – a treasure which any amount of money can never buy. God – – And ONLY God – – satisfies the deepest longing and desires of our heart, soul, and being. PLEASE, be willing to part with, to separate yourself from, anything keeping you from seeking the true and completely full JOY in, with, and through Jesus Christ?

Wealth can make us falsely independent creatures. The church at Laodicea * was warned about their attitude towards wealth and its false sense of security:

“For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. “ (Revelations 3:17).

* Laodicea was a Christian community established in the ancient city of the same name (on the river Lycus, in the Roman province of Asia). The church was established in the earliest period of Christianity, and is probably best known for being one of the seven churches addressed by name in the Book of Revelation (Revelations 3.14-22) ~ per Wikipedia.

Per one of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles written to the administrator of the entire Ephesian** community, wealth can also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness:

“Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

** Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey.

Giving up ALL we have in order to have Jesus Christ as OUR treasure is not to be considered as a sorrowful act; it is the greatest act of joy, one can lovingly do for others. Selling all that we have may mean many different things. It could mean letting go of attachments, friendships, influences, jobs, status, entertainment, or even you’re your manner or means of life. Anything standing in the way of our loving and making God first and foremost in our lives, AND, anything standing in the way of giving Him the best we can with our time, talents, and treasures, should be removed from our presence and lives. Do we truly want God saying to us “YOUR will be done” instead of us saying to Him “thy will be done”? I know I don’t want Him saying this to me!!

Jesus is offering a further condition in this reading from Mark’s Gospel today: a condition which challenges disciples following Him who are materialistically wealthy and trying to enter the Kingdom of God. (Give it up and follow.) In reply to the disciples’ astonishment at the strictness of the two requirements Jesus speaks about in today’s reading, He reminds His followers:

“For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” (Mark 10:27).

Our eternal salvation is determined by our ability to rely completely upon, to trust completely in, and to hope completely for – – God in our lives ALWAYS!!

Peter replies to Jesus by boasting that the disciples have already given up everything. Jesus acknowledges that those who have given up everything for the sake of the Gospel will be rewarded. This is not a FUTURE HOPE – – IT IS HAPPENING NOW!! This reward begins NOW, in the new community one gains in this present life, and continuing into the eternal age to come. Our personal relationship with Jesus is also an invitation to the community of faith, in its fullest, the Catholic Church. So, if you have left the Catholic Church, for whatever reason, please come home today!

Today’s Gospel might make us uncomfortable about our personal materialistic possessions. This discomfort actually may offer each of us an opportunity to consider what we have in relation to our commitment to the poor and marginalized. Without any doubt, material possessions are truly a necessity in our society and way of life. However, our amount and use of these possessions, and our attitude about their importance, IS our choice. We have a “free will” to choose who or what, we truly worship – – God or manna. In making this choice, we must be aware of our love, trust, and faith in Jesus Christ who commits each of us – – personally, intimately, and uniquely – – to care for the poor and marginalized of this world.

I would reason that there are items in each of our houses we no longer need or use. Reflect on Jesus’ remarks about material possessions and how you feel about Jesus’ teaching today. Tomorrow, choose an action showing your commitment to the poor. It could be as simple as donating some of your extra or unused items to another in need. Repeat this process often.

Holy Scripture gives us a paradox: we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. Generosity will be abundantly repaid, both in this life and in eternity:

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce; then will your barns be filled with plenty, with new wine your vats will overflow” (Proverbs 3:9-10);

“Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you” (Luke 6:38).

Jesus offers us an incomparable, never-ending treasure which NO money can EVER buy; a treasure NO thief can ever steal. I want to share His treasure with you! God’s gift to us is the gift which keeps on giving.

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Reflection Prayer:

“Prayer of Surrender”

“Loving Father, I surrender to you today with all my heart and soul. Please come into my heart in a deeper way. I say, “Yes” to you today. I open all the secret places of my heart to you and say, “Come on in.” Jesus, you are the Lord of my whole life. I believe in you and receive you as my Lord and Savior. I hold nothing back.

Holy Spirit, bring me to a deeper conversion to the person of Jesus Christ. I surrender all to you: my time, my treasures, my talents, my health, my family, my resources, my work, relationships, time management, successes and failures. I release it and let it go.

I surrender my understanding of how things ‘ought’ to be, my choices and my will. I surrender to you the promises I have kept and the promises I have failed to keep. I surrender my weaknesses and strengths to you. I surrender my emotions, my fears, my insecurities, my sexuality. I especially surrender ______ (Here mention other areas of surrender as the Holy Spirit reveals them to you.)

Lord, I surrender my whole life to you, the past, the present, and the future. In sickness and in health, in life and in death, I belong to you. (Remain with the Lord in a spirit of silence through your thoughts, a heart song, or simply staying in His presence and listening for His voice.)

“BOO! I’m Sending You the Holy GHOST!” – John 14:15-21†

6^th Week of Easter

Today’s Content:

Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations

Today in Catholic History

Quote of the Day

Today’s Gospel Reading

Reflection on Today’s Gospel

New Translation of the Mass

A Franciscan’s Saint of the Day

Franciscan Formation Reflection

Reflection on part of the SFO Rule

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Dan’s Deliberations, Discoveries, & Declarations:

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Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for June, 2011

General Intention:

That all priests, united to the Heart of Christ, may always be true witnesses of the caring and merciful love of God.

Missionary Intention:

That the Holy Spirit may bring forth from our communities numerous missionary vocations, willing to fully consecrate themselves to spreading the Kingdom of God.

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Today in Catholic History:

†   757 – St Paul I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
†   1138 – Anti-Pope Victor IV (Gregorio) overthrows self for Innocentius II
†   1167 – Battle of Monte Porzio – A Roman army supporting Pope Alexander III is defeated by Christian of Buch and Rainald of Dassel
†   1414 – Council of Constance, ending the “Three-Popes” Controversy, by deposing or accepting the resignation of the remaining Papal claimants and electing Pope Martin V
†   1910 – Pope Pius X (pontificate: 1903-1914; b. 1835-d. 1914) publishes encyclical on “Editae Saepe”, on St. Charles Borromeo, and against church reformers
†   1939 – Death of Ursula Julia Ledochowska, Polish-Austrian Catholic nun, saint, and founder of the Congregation of the Ursulines of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus (b. 1865)
†   1954 – Pope Pius X cannonized by Pope Pius XII
†   1967 – Pope Paul VI names 27 new cardinals, including Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Krakow, who later became Pope John Paul II

(From the “On This Day” Blog Site
otday.wordpress.com &/OR
“Today in Catholic History”
http://www.historyorb.com)

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Quote of the Day:

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Today’s reflection is about Jesus promising His disciples that He will send them another “advocate”, the Spirit of truth.

(NAB John 14:15-21) ¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

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Today’s Gospel is a continuation of last week’s Gospel in which Jesus is speaking to His disciples at the “Last Supper”. In today’s reading, He offers encouragement to His followers who will see Him crucified within the next 24 hours. He is again reassuring them that even though He will leave soon – – physically, He will never abandon them spiritually and personally. According to God’s plan, which Jesus Christ understood, He promises to send them the “Advocate”, – – the Holy Spirit, – – through whom ALL disciples will continue to live in union with Jesus Christ, now and forever..

Jesus contrasts His impending departure with the eternalness of the “gift” of the Holy Spirit. God the Son: Jesus, will leave to return to God the Father. Yet, God the Holy Spirit will be sent to remain with ALL disciples on earth, for all generations..

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Here is an interesting question. What makes us both truly human and truly like God? The Answer: – – “Love”!!

Love, – – in its purest form, – – is unselfish, undying, and wholly directed to the good of others. It is love which unites us in an unbreakable bond of dependability, faithfulness, and fellowship with others. Jesus Christ loved “His own” until the end of His human life, which came to an end horrendously during His Passion and death on the Holy Cross:

“Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)

Jesus is telling us that “genuine” love requires expressing itself in words and deeds. St. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, says of this verse, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” in today’s reading:

“This indeed is love; obeying and believing in the loved one.” (St. John Chrysostom, Homily on St. John, 74)

Jesus wants us to truly and fully understand this “genuine” love of God. For love is to be authentic, love must be reflected in a life of generous and faithful “self-giving”, obedient to the will of God which contains a powerful promise:

“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” (John 14:21).

St. John the Evangelist himself encourages and urges us in yet another passage:

“Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18).

And, he teaches us even more further in writing the following:

“For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3).

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From the very beginning of creation, God said:

“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

We were created in love, and for love; – – and to become a community, a church of loving persons, and a unified family, just as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are united, We were created in love to be a “oneness” in pure and totally full love.

Jesus speaks to His disciples of the inseparable and everlasting bound of love between Himself and God the Father – – AND of their love for US! In Jesus Christ, we see the fullness of the Holy Trinity’s love and how this love is directed to OUR well-being. The “love” of God was (and is) made manifest among us:

“In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.” (1 John 4:9).

In the Holy Cross, we see the proof of God’s love for us and the incredible price God was willing to pay for our redemption and salvation. Jesus Christ gave up His own human life, solely that we might have an abundant, everlasting life with Him and His Father. Through Jesus Christ, we are offered a life of love and “oneness” with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – – for eternity. Through the Holy Cross, Jesus opened a new “way” of relationship for us as “beloved children” of God:

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:14-17)

Christians, Catholics, by reason of the “Advocate’s” presence within us, enjoy not only a “new life”, but also a “new relationship” to, and with God, whose sufferings and glory are shared with us.

Jesus Christ calls His disciples to walk in His “way of love”, His pathway, through obedience to the will of God the Father. True love is more than sentiment, feelings, or good intentions. True love for God is expressed in obedience; obedience is expressed in love.

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Jesus and His “Twelve” chosen disciples had become extremely close. These men most likely depended on Jesus for their needs and guidance. He decided where they went and what they did for three years of His earthly public ministry. Jesus was the “go-to” guy for any difficult moments with others, including crowds. (Jesus directed at least two smorgasbords and one wine-fest that we know.) In all reality, He had been their “Advocate” – – in person!

On a number of occasions Jesus promised His disciples that He would send them another “Advocate, the Holy Spirit”:

“The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you.” (John 14:26).

And, in John’s next chapter (John 15):

“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.” (John 15:26).

Continuing with John (He definitely had the Spirit when he wrote), he goes on to say:

“But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. ‘I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.’” (John 16:7-14).

Finally, even Mark’s Gospel says of Jesus’ promise to send the “Advocate”:

“It will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:20).

He will send “another Advocate”! What does he mean by “ANOTHER”? Well, Jesus was the first “Advocate”. Some literature also says “Paraclete”. Paraclete is a simple legal term meaning “one who offers defense for another.”

Jesus was the first “Advocate” in the sense of being the “first” intercessor in heaven. John actually writes of this in His first epistle:

“My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.” (1 John 2:1)

Jesus Christ is described, in 1 John 2 and in Hebrews, as the “Advocate” to come.

John writes:

“My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.” (1 John 2:1).

And the author of “Hebrews” writes:

“Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Jesus states that one result of His intercession with God the Father will be the coming of the “Advocate”. The Holy Spirit in fact does come down on the disciples ten days after Jesus Christ ascends (cf., Acts 2:1-13). The Holy Spirit is sent by God the Father AND God the Son. Jesus is revealing the true “mystery” of the Blessed Holy Trinity by His coming.

Jesus Christ has sent the SAME “Advocate” to be with each of us, individually and personally. It is HIS very Spirit which is with us, as His gift to us, from God the Father.

The “mystery” of the Trinity can be difficult for us to grasp. Today’s Gospel invites us to consider and reflect on how the “three persons” – – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – – work together so that God’s plan of salvation is revealed to us, and gives us the knowledge and strength to follow His plan.

Jesus’ mission is continued through the activity of the Holy Spirit living and working within the lives of His disciples then, now, and in the future. We receive the exact same Holy Spirit as the first disciples through our individual Baptisms and Confirmations. The Holy Spirit, living and working within each of us, reveals and exposes the “mystery” of God’s love for us. Just as the first disciples were not left abandoned, we are not abandoned. We remain in God’s loving embrace through the gift and actions of the Holy Spirit.

When was the last time YOU called on the “Advocate” to help in difficult moments?, or just to say thanks?

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The Christian Community, to whom John the Evangelist was writing, are called “children”. Like the term “beloved,” this was an expression of pastoral love, as coming from a Bishop of the flock. In fact, Jesus frequently called His group of followers, “children” as is shown in the following from John’s Gospel:

“My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” (John 13:33).

And, again in John’s Gospel:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you caught anything to eat?’ They answered him, ‘No.’” (John 21:5).

And, then later, Paul even called his company of believers, “children”:

“I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.” (1 Corinthians 4:14).

The word “Advocate” is a Greek term derived from the legal terminology for an advocate (or defense attorney). “Advocate” can mean spokesman, mediator, intercessor, comforter, and/or “councilor”. The Greek word “Parakletos” literally means “one called to be beside another”: to accompany, console, protect, and defend.

The “Paraclete” in John also is meant to refer to a teacher in communion with God the Father and God the Son as a witness to Jesus Christ, and as a prosecutor of the world, and thirdly as one who brings about the continued presence on earth of the Son of God, Jesus, who has returned to the Father, and yet with us on earth today. (Mysterious!)

Christ speaks of the Holy Spirit as “another Councilor” because He (the spirit) will be given to us, in Christ’s place as Advocate and Defender. The Holy Spirit comes in order to help each of us on our personal and individual journeys and paths of faith. The Holy Spirit is our “Councilor”, “Advocate”, as we make our way in this world amid the many difficulties and the temptations to feel saddened, depressed, neglected, and other limitations.

St. Josemaria Escriva says of our limitations:

“In spite of our great limitations, we can look up to heaven with confidence and joy: God loves us and frees us from our sins. The presence and the action of the Holy Spirit in the Church are a foretaste of eternal happiness, of the joy and peace for which we are destined by God.” (St. Josemaria Escriva, Chris Is Passing By, 128)

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“The Spirit of truth” (verse 17) is, interestingly, a term also used at Qumran (of Dead Sea Scroll fame, inhabited by the “Essenes”), where “The Spirit of truth” is a moral or righteous power put into a person by God, as opposed to the spirit of perversity (willfully persisting in perverse behavior): original and personal sin.

For John, the “Advocate” appears to be an extremely personal and intimate “spirit”, teaching the realities of the new order from, in, and with Jesus Christ, Risen from the dead, working through the Holy Spirit indwelling within each and every one of us:

“The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you.” (John 14:26).

The role of the “Advocate” is also to guide, protect, and vivify (to cause somebody to come to life) the Catholic Church. John states that this “Holy Spirit” will enable us to personally, individually, and intimately testify to the “truth”:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6).

As we discussed in last Sunday’s Gospel reflection, “the truth” is the divinely revealed and exposed reality of God the Father, manifested in the person and works of God the Son: Jesus Christ. The possession of “truth” bestows knowledge of, strength over, and liberation from, sin for each of us, individually. Much earlier in his Gospel, John said “the truth” will release you from Satan’s power:

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32).

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In today’s reading, Jesus said He would:

“… not leave us orphans; He would come to us.” (John 14:18)

Jesus continues to make this same promise to us today and in the future. Though I don’t always realize it, He is “right here” for ME (and you) at ALL times.

“I will come to you” (verse 18) is meant to mean Jesus Christ coming into each of us, personally indwell each of us, and working in and through each of us, via the Holy Spirit. This particular verse is not a verse foretelling of the “Parousia”, the second coming of Jesus Christ at the “end times”. This particular verse is for us now in the present, as a present, from God the Father and God the Son.

In my own life, it seems I have assigned some of His “Spirit” role to my guardian angels (Yes, I have more than one. I need as many as possible). A lot of what I thought about the guardian angels and their role (guiding, revealing, leading, convincing, giving, producing and harvesting), is in fact, the Holy Spirits role to keep me on my path. We need to remember that the Advocate is not just a messenger from God the Father, but actually IS God, in the person of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is given to us as a gift in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Let me use an analogy I have come to love in its simplicity to explain how the Advocate is given to us through these Sacraments: a nice, glass of sparkling cold, delicious chocolate milk. I liken Baptism to the squirting of chocolate syrup into a glass of milk. The Holy Spirit in introduced into our lives and souls. Confirmation stirs and mixes the milk (us) and syrup (Holy Spirit) together, combining them, and creating one new and delicious drink (a new and delicious life in and with God).

This is a major reason why I so enjoy the Eucharist. Not only do I celebrate the “Risen” Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, but I also celebrate in His on-going presence being stirred-up in me with every step with every step I take on His path. Through the continued grace and gift of the Holy Spirit in my life and in my soul, God never abandons me; and never will:

“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

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To recap, at various times during the “last supper”, we can see Jesus’ disciples growing evermore sad as Jesus bids them farewell:

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” (John 15:16);

And

“So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” (John 16:22).

Jesus speaks with great tenderness and love, calling them “little children” and “friends”:

“My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” (John 13:33);

And,

“I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15).

Our Lord continues, by promising He will not leave them (or us) alone. He will send the “Holy Spirit” to ALL His believers. And finally, He promises that HE, Himself, will return to be with them (and us) again, – – now, – – and at the Parousia.

Actually, Jesus does come back to the “twelve” (and many others) soon after this “last meal”, His Passion, death on the Holy Cross, and His Resurrection. He sees and is with them, again, for the forty days. He then ascended to His Father in heaven. During this 40-day period, He told them about the Kingdom of God:

“He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3).

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Jesus promised to give His followers the best gift ever possible, – – the Holy Spirit – – as Councilor, Provider, Protector, and Helper. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in our earthly life.

The Holy Spirit is also the “Giver” of life, and the “One” who guides us in the true way of “truth”. We never stop learning. The Holy Spirit leads us more and more into the knowledge of God’s love and truth as we open ourselves more and more to His influences as we to listen to and trust in Him.

Jesus also promised His followers the gift of peace. Peace is more than an absence of battle, conflict, and/or trouble. Peace includes everything which makes for the highest “good”. Trust in God, faith in His promises, and obedience to His “Word” are “the ways” leading us to joy, peace, and safety in God’s presence, and His warm, loving embrace. This is why a Catholic, a Christian, need not fear, need not be troubled by anything or anyone. After all, what can separate us from the love of God, found in Jesus Christ, – – – – other than ourselves?

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In conclusion, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the disciples will come to know and appreciate the unity, the “oneness” of God the Father with God the Son. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ followers will understand that they too participate in the “communion” between the Father and the Son:

“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” (John 14:20).

Today’s reading is an example of the distinction that John’s Gospel presents between the “community” of Jesus: “the Way”, (to whom God will reveal Himself), and the “unbelieving world”, (which will remain in darkness). The unbelieving world cannot accept the “Spirit of ‘truth’ – – the Advocate”, whom the disciples received at “Pentecost”. Only through the actions of the Holy Spirit working in and through each of us will God’s revelation and love be known to us and others.

What do you know and believe about the “Advocate”, the “Paraclete”, the “Councilor”, the more commonly known “Holy Spirit”? What does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will do for you in your life? Realize that through the graces of the Holy Spirit, we individually and collectively come to share in the love of God the Father made known to us in God the Son: Jesus.

Though the disciples no longer “saw” Him [Jesus] after He ascended to His Father in heaven, Jesus still continues to be in the midst of the first disciples, and all His disciples to the present, and those into the future – for all time, just as He promised:

“Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).

We will see Him – – face-to-face – – again!!

Jesus Christ is telling each of us that He doesn’t want any one of us to be alone in our life and our journeys of faith. He tells His disciples in today’s reading that He will ask His Father to send Him in a new way in the person of the Holy Spirit.

When the “Advocate”, the “Holy Spirit”, comes into us, the reality of God is ever so much intimately related to us for He actually enters INTO us, and remains within us ALWAYS! I thank my God who dwells within me always! I thank Him for the reality of His presence!

The tangible, bodily presence of Jesus Christ (that true presence which I can see and touch) was then, and is now, a “miraculous” kind of presence. Although the intangible presence is temporary, the deeper, more intimate, personal, and enduring real presence of the Risen Christ remains within each of us though His promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Merry CHRIST-mas(s)! (What a PRESENT!!)

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**“Pentecost Prayer”**

“Father of light, from whom every good gift comes, send forth your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise in words beyond the power of speech; for without your Spirit, men or women could never raise their voices in words of peace or announce the truth that Jesus is Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.”

Pax et Bonum
Dan Halley, SFO

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New Translation of the Mass

In November of 2011, with the start of the new Liturgical year and Advent, there will be a few noticeable changes in the Mass. It will still be the same ritual for celebrating the Eucharist. The Mass will still have the same parts, the same patterns, and the same flow as it has had for the past several decades. It is only the translation of the Latin that is changing.

The new translation seeks to correspond much more closely to the exact words and sentence structure of the Latin text. At times, this results in a good and faithful rendering of the original meaning. At other times it produces a rather awkward text in English which is difficult to proclaim and difficult to understand. Most of those problems affect the texts which priests will proclaim rather than the texts that belong to the congregation as a whole. It is to the congregation’s texts that I will address with each blog, in a repetitive basis until the start of Advent.

In the words of Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium, #11, the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of Christian life. Anything we can do to understand our liturgy more deeply will draw us closer to God.

When the priest invites us to share in the Lord’s Supper, we now say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” With the new Missal, we will respond:

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

The use of “under my roof” is a reference to the Gospel passage where the centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant but says he is not worthy for Jesus to enter his house (Luke 7:6). The other change is “my soul” instead of “I”, which focuses more clearly on the spiritual dimension of the healing we seek.

Material from “Changing How We Pray”, by Rev. Lawrence E. Mick

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A Franciscan’s Saint of the Day: St. Ferdinand III, King, Third Order Franciscan (1198 – 1252)

(Monday’s – May 30^th – Optional Memorial for SFO)

Ferdinand was King of Leon and Castile, and member of the Third Order of St. Francis. He was born in 1198 near Salamanca, and died at Seville, 30 May, 1252. He was the son of Alfonso IX, King of Leon; and of Berengeria, who was the daughter of Alfonso III, King of Castile, and sister of Blanche, the mother of St. Louis IX.

In 1217 Ferdinand became King of Castile, which crown his mother renounced in his favor. In 1230, he succeeded to the crown of Leon, though not without civil strife since many were opposed to the union of the two kingdoms. Ferdinand took as his counselors the wisest men in the State, saw to the strict administration of justice, and took the greatest care not to overburden his subjects with taxation, fearing, as he said, the curse of one poor woman more than a whole army of Saracens.

Following his mother’s advice, Ferdinand, in 1219, married Beatrice, the daughter of Philip of Swabia, King of Germany, one of the most virtuous princesses of her time. God blessed this union with seven children: six princes and one princess. The highest aims of Ferdinand’s life were the propagation of the Faith and the liberation of Spain from the Saracen yoke. Hence his continual wars against the Saracens. He took from them vast territories, Granada and Alicante alone remaining in their power at the time of his death.

In the most important towns he founded bishoprics, reestablished Catholic worship everywhere, built churches, founded monasteries, and endowed hospitals. The greatest joys of his life were the conquests of Cordova (1236) and Seville (1248). He turned the great mosques of these places into cathedrals, dedicating them to the Blessed Virgin. He watched over the conduct of his soldiers, confiding more in their virtue than in their valor, fasted strictly himself, wore a rough “hairshirt”, and often spent his nights in prayer, especially before battles. Amid the tumult of the camp he lived like a religious in the cloister.

The glory of the Church and the happiness of his people were the two guiding motives of his life. He founded the University of Salamanca, the Athens of Spain. Ferdinand was buried in the great cathedral of Seville before the image of the Blessed Virgin, clothed, at his own request, in the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis. His body, it is said, remains incorrupt. Many miracles took place at his tomb, and Clement X canonized him in 1671. His feast is kept by the Minorites on the 30th of May.

From CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
(From http://www.newadvent.orgwebsite)

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Franciscan Formation Reflection:

Franciscan Spirituality

Have you gained inspiration from the example and the writings of St. Francis? How? (Based on Article 12, General Constitution)

Have you read a good “Franciscan” book lately, or do I avoid them in favor of fiction and other popular books?

Do you try to adopt St. Francis’ approach to God, to your neighbors, to yourself, to the Church, and to all creation as he did?

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Prologue to the Secular Franciscan Order
(SFO) Rule:

Exhortation of Saint Francis to the Brothers and Sisters in Penance

In the name of the Lord!

Chapter 1 Concerning Those Who Do Penance

All who love the Lord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with all their strength (cf. Mk 12:30), and love their neighbors as themselves (cf. Mt 22:39) and hate their bodies with their vices and sins, and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and produce worthy fruits of penance.

Oh, how happy and blessed are these men and women when they do these things and persevere in doing them, because “the spirit of the Lord will rest upon them” (cf. Is 11:2) and he will make “his home and dwelling among them” (cf Jn 14:23), and they are the sons of the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:45), whose works they do, and they are the spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mt 12:50).

We are spouses, when by the Holy Spirit the faithful soul is united with our Lord Jesus Christ; we are brothers to him when we fulfill “the will of the Father who is in heaven” (Mt 12:50).

We are mothers, when we carry him in our heart and body (cf. 1 Cor 6:20) through divine love and a pure and sincere conscience; we give birth to him through a holy life which must give life to others by example (cf. Mt 5:16).

Oh, how glorious it is to have a great and holy Father in heaven! Oh, how glorious it is to have such a beautiful and admirable Spouse, the Holy Paraclete.

Oh, how glorious it is to have such a Brother and such a Son, loved, beloved, humble, peaceful, sweet, lovable, and desirable above all: Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up his life for his sheep (cf. Jn 10:15) and prayed to the Father saying:

“Oh, holy Father, protect them with your name (cf. Jn 17:11) whom you gave me out of the world. I entrusted to them the message you entrusted to me and they received it. They have known that in truth I came from you; they have believed that it was you who sent me. For these I pray, not for the world (cf. Jn 17:9). Bless and consecrate them, and I consecrate myself for their sakes. I do not pray for them alone; I pray also for those who will believe in me through their word (cf. Jn 17:20) that they may be holy by being one, as we are (cf. Jn 17:11). And I desire, Father, to have them in my company where I am to see this glory of mine in your kingdom” (cf. Jn 17:6-24).

Posted by Dan Halley,, OFS. Categories: Apologetics, Bible History, Catholic Church, Franciscan Formation, Humor/Joke, Meditation, New Mass Translation, Prayer, Quote/Joke, Rosary, Saint of the Day, Scripture, SFO Prologue. Tags: 14:15-21, Advocate, apologetics, Bible History, Catholic, commandments, Death, father, formation, Franciscan, Frustration, God, Heaven, him, Holy Spirit, Intercession, Jesus, John, Journey, keep, kingdom, Knowledge, knows, life, live, Lord, love, myself, NAB, observes, orphans, Prayer, realize, Reflection, reveal, Saint, sees, SFO, SFO Rule, Sin, Sorrow, spirit, St. francis, Teach, truth, Words, world, Worthy. 1 Comment

Feb. ’11

“You Thought You Had It Hard Before, Check Out These Laws!” – Matthew 5:17–37†

“Vigils for Victims” of underage sex trafficking are being organized outside Planned Parenthood offices coast-to-coast on Monday, February 14, from Noon to 1 PM in each U.S. Time Zone …

… and YOU can make a profound impact in one hour!

We must act swiftly and take a public stand against Planned Parenthood’s harmful agenda — raising awareness in the communities where we live, and calling upon Congress to IMMEDIATELY strip the abortion chain of all tax funding.

This Monday, February 14, all people of faith and conscience are being called upon to hold one-hour “Vigils for Victims” of human trafficking during the Noon hour in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood offices nationwide.

This requires rapid action, but will show Planned Parenthood — and the media — the power of pro-life America to bring about change!

For more information, go to http://www.40daysforlife.com and follow the links.

Please join me at the following location:

Central West End Planned Parenthood facility
4251 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108