Twenty-Seventh Monday in Ordinary Time

Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Being a slave of Christ won’t win us any popularity contests in the world. As followers of Christ, we are walking signs of contradiction to all the worldly stands for. It should come as no surprise that because of this we cannot please everyone. Spreading the Good News and proclaiming the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Jesus will cause trials for us. However, we should not concern ourselves with currying favor with other people. God is the only one we need to please and we do that best when we are willing to sacrifice all we have to accomplish His Good Will.

Are we currying favor with others or with God? Are we willing to suffer the dislike and persecution of others in order to follow God’s Will? How can we live as more faithful slaves to Jesus Christ?

O Lord, we desire to please you above all else.

Amen.

Twenty-First Saturday in Ordinary Time

Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.

We don’t have to be wise, powerful, or born into wealth to be good Christians. The only wisdom we need is to follow the teachings of Christ as best we can and trust in God’s Goodness. The only power we need is to make the choice to depend on God with complete trust in His Strength. The only wealth we need is the treasure house of graces that God offers us as followers of Christ. We are meant to be signs of contradiction to the world, showing our strength through our weakness. We are called to be lowly and humble, boasting of nothing except the greatness of our Lord and God.

Is our wisdom founded on the commandments, teachings, and inspirations God has given us? Is our strength totally dependent upon our humble trust in God? Is our nobility reliant upon our kinship with Jesus Christ and our imitation of his way of life?

O Lord, let our only boast be of you.

Amen.

Fifth Wednesday of Lent

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up."

Maintaining our faith in the face of opposition or morals in the face of peer pressure can be difficult. The world persecutes those who place their trust in a higher power. Anyone who does not worship at the altar of selfishness and worldliness, is seen as strange and backward. However, our opposition to the ways of the world is exactly what gives us strength. We are signs of contradiction and as long as we place our trust in God, then we shall be saved and overcome all our trials. And even if we suffer greatly, we shall know in our heart of hearts that God is with us and will console us in the afterlife.

What forces in our lives are trying to sway us into giving into the wickedness? How can we better resist these temptations and influences? Are we willing to suffer in order to know, love, and serve God and His children with all we are and ever will be?

O Lord, we trust you will save us from all evil.

Amen.

Fifth Wednesday of Lent

Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”

Standing up for what we believe in can be very difficult, especially when someone with authority over us pressures us to do something we don’t agree with. Sometimes we are asked to do things that go against our faith and morals in order to avoid a confrontation with others or receive some worldly gain. However, no matter who might tempt us to sin, what rewards they might offer to us for doing evil, or threats they might make against us if we do not do as they wish... we must stand for what is right. Perhaps the person tempting us needs to see our courage in order to change their ways as Nebuchadnezzar did after witnessing the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. No matter what happens, if we are willing to yield up our bodies, wealth, fame, success, etc. rather than to turn our backs on God, then He shall reward us a thousand fold for our sufferings. He doesn’t abandon those who refuse to abandon Him.

Are we willing to stand up for our faith, even in the face of those who have authority over us? What sacrifices is God asking of us? How can we become a sign of God’s Power and Glory even to those who would persecute us?

O Lord, we would rather yield our bodies than to serve or worship anyone, but you.

Amen.

Fourth Friday of Lent

He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD. To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father.

We are surrounded by worldly people who see true faith, hope, and love as a threat to their ways of life. They see us in this life because like Jesus Christ, we are signs of contradiction to the world. We shine a light into the dark places of sin and call it what it is. We proclaim the Good News and evangelize those around us through our thoughts, words, and works. Worldly people see the followers of Christ as people to persecute, condemn, and mock. Many of them do this out of ignorance, but some out of malice. However, no matter their reasons for attacking us, we must love them and thereby show them the blessings that come from being just and that there is a Heavenly Father who loves them enough to forgive them.

How can we become more perfect children of God? How can our lives show others that there is a different way to live? Are we willing to suffer persecution in order to live the Christ-like life?

O Lord, bless us as we stand in contradiction to the world.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

It can be tempting to never rock the boat and never challenge ourselves and others to be better than what they are. We can be tempted to avoid conflict with others and seek to appease them in spite of what our hearts, minds, and morals might say. We are tempted to cover our ears against evil words, but do not rebuke the person using them. We are tempted to turn our eyes away from evil instead of doing something about it. We are tempted to remain silent when we know the truth instead of speaking out against it. We keep the Holy Spirit's Fire at arm's length because if we let it into our hearts we know that it will set our lives ablaze. However, who benefits from our indifference, inaction, and fears? Not those whom God is calling us to confront, for without someone to give voice to the truth, how can they have a chance to know it? Not the people who are affected by our inaction. And certainly not us, because we prove time and time again that we are disciples in hiding, just like those who abandoned Jesus during his Passion, Crucifixion, and Death. But if we do open ourselves to the fires of the Holy Spirit, our hearts shall be enkindled and we shall blaze like the Son of Man. Then, and only then, can we fulfill God's Will and become signs of contradiction to the world.

Are we indifferent, inactive, or afraid of what it means to be signs of contradiction? Are we willing to let the Holy Spirit enkindle our hearts with the fires of faith, hope, and love? Who are the people in our lives who need to be contradicted, not out of a sense of superiority, but out of a sense of true compassion?

O Lord, set our hearts ablaze.

Amen.

Twenty-Fifth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

Jesus is a perplexing figure to the world. He contradicts it opinions with the Truth. He challenges its selfishness with a call to the Way of Love. He disturbs the self-satisfied by showing them a more fulfilling Life. He came into the world to transform us, to raise us up, and to redeem us. However, we cannot do that if we are merely curious about it, but not sincere in our desires to amend our lives and live according to God's Will. Many of Jesus' enemies were curious about him, but it is not enough to be inquisitive. We have to be willing to listen to Jesus' answers, internalize them, and then live them out with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Are we perplexed by the teachings of Christ? If so, then how can we come to trust in them and live lives grounded in Eternal Truth and Love? Are we merely curious about Christ or are we open to transforming our lives and bring our entire being into alignment with his Way?

O Lord, open us to your teachings so that we can become prophets of your Good News.

Amen.

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Jesus' father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

If we want to be followers of Christ, like Mary, then we will be destined for the rise and fall of many. We will become signs of contradiction in the world. And swords will pierce our hearts, so that the hearts of many may be revealed. It might be through our lives that God reveals the inner character of others and whether they deserve heaven or hell. We are all called to become witnesses to and sharers of God's Love, Mercy, and Grace in order to show the world that there is another way to live that goes beyond selfishness and to selflessness. Last but not least, part of loving someone means being willing to sacrifice ourselves for them. If we love God, then we will be willing to suffer anything for His Divine Will. He may need us to drink a chalice of sorrow for the reparation of sins, the conversion of sinners, or the salvation or souls. However, just as Mary was rewarded for her holy life, so shall we be rewarded for ours as long as we remain true to God no matter what comes our way.

Do we live holy lives of contradiction? If not, then how can we become exemplars of what it means to be Disciples of Christ, like Mary? Are we willing to imitate Our Lady of Sorrows and suffer for the glory of God and the good of souls?

O Lord, bless us with hearts willing to sacrifice all for you and your children.

Amen.

The First Wednesday of Lent

This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.  Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

The signs of Jonah and the Son of Man are both calls for repentance. Jonah proclaimed the destruction of Nineveh and this lead to the repentance of others. Jesus, on the other hand, proclaimed the salvation of man through his own life, death, and resurrection, which lead to the conversion of sinners. In a way, each of us is also called to be a sign of repentance to the world and remind our family, friends, and neighbors of the need for contrite hearts. We are meant to be beacons of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace and we cannot do that if we let our pride blind us to our faults or our fears to keep us from seeking forgiveness.

What can we do to overcome our pride and fears and become models of God’s Divine Mercy? How can we cultivate contrite spirits and hearts within ourselves? How do our lives lead others to redemption?

O Lord, makes us into living signs of your mercy.

Amen.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Jesus was a sign of contradiction for many in his time and in our own. He caused the fall and rise of many evil and good people and revealed their hearts. Being a devote servant to God offers us no consolation other than hope in our salvation and love of our God, both of which are impossible to see without the eyes of faith. These are not the rewards the world promises or offers us and it can be very difficult to live a virtuous life when all around you wonder why you have to be so contradictory. However, as Christians we are not meant to go with the flow or to walk along the wide road. No, we are called to cross against the current and take the narrow path to salvation. We often ask for signs to help us discern God’s Will, but perhaps we are meant to be signs to each other of God’s Love for us and His desire to lead us home to Him.

How are we signs of contradiction to the world? Are we really willing to allow a sword to pierce our hearts? In what way do we seek to reveal God to the hearts of others?

O Lord, make us a sign of your Love to the world, even if it means others will hate us for it.

Amen.