catholic family faith

Who Are Your Lepers?

My deacon husband preached a touching homily this past weekend. He began by pointing out how Jesus looked beyond the proscribed law and reached out to touch the unclean leper. Rather than seeing the disease, Jesus saw the human.

He pointed out how we tend to label people based on their conditions or dis-eases, such as alcoholic, drug addict, homeless, the 1%. We do often attach labels to people based on our impressions of their actions. These labels, then, color how we respond to them.

Then he shared a story about a girl he knew in school. She didn't fit in. Her parents were poor and didn't care well for her. She had tape on her glasses. Because her house was the last stop on the bus route, she stood in the back because there were no seats. When my husband's friends moved and his seat opened up, his sister pointed out to this girl that she could sit with him. As time went on, he began to talk to her and get to know her a bit. It was then that he began to see her not by her label, but as a human, a child of God.

My husband's homily has challenged me - and others in our parish - to consider who are my lepers. I do tend to label people based on my first impressions. And those impressions influence how I respond to them.

I have a lot of praying to do this week. I need to pray for all of my "lepers" of whom I need to change my way of seeing. I need to pray for myself so that I may stop labeling people based on how they look or act and respond to them as children of God.

Parents have a great responsibility for teaching their children how to see people as children of God rather than by their labels. Consider how you can help your children respond to others with compassion rather than judgment. Pray for them, for yourself, and for the "lepers" in your life.

Forgive Unceasingly - Lord's Day Faith Chat - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 11, 2011

Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."  (Matthew 18:21-22, NAB)

Every time we pray the Our Father, we say "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."  But do we really mean what we say?  Do we forgive others as we wish to be forgiven by God?

Today's reading reminds us that we need to practice living in God's mercy.  We need to practice forgiving as God forgives.  Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence in Terre Haute, Indiana, once wrote, "God's mercy is greater than the number of sins we will ever commit."  God's mercy is greater than any number or greatness of sins we can commit.  No matter what we do, if we ask God's forgiveness, God will grant us forgiveness.

What a comforting thought!

But do we do the same for others?  or even ourselves?  Does our forgiveness mirror God's?

When was the last time you held a grudge?  How many grudges are you holding right now?  Why do you hold onto those grudges?  What good is it really doing you or anyone else that you aren't forgiving?

As you reflect on the reading for this Lord's Day, invite the God of Mercy to fill you with compassion and to help you forgive.  Allow God to take the weight of holding those grudges off your heart.  You will be amazed at how much happier you will after you give and accept forgiveness!

Lord's Day Faith Chat - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 2011

Readings:  Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20

When Peter responded to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus told him, "Blessed are you...for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." 

When did you first believe - really believe - that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God"?  I grew up in the Catholic faith, so from my infancy I heard that Jesus is the Son of God.  But it wasn't until I was older that I could truly affirm my belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.  I suppose that's so for many people raised in the Christian faith.  At some point when we're able to decide for ourselves, we come to state the belief from our heart rather than just speaking the words.  (At least, I hope that all adults who state belief in Christ Jesus do so from their hearts and not just speak the words.)

While we might be raised in believing in Christ Jesus as the Son of God, it is the Holy Spirit who inspires us to accept the belief and proclaim it from our hearts.  We cannot proclaim any belief without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  So give thanks, today, to God the Holy Spirit for filling you with belief in Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God!

Sometime this week, invite family members to share their favorite titles of Jesus (eg., Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Good Shepherd, etc.) and come up with words that describe Jesus' personality, ministry, and mission (eg., healer, compassionate, listening, etc.)  The create a word cloud about Jesus with the titles and descriptive words, connecting words together with shared letters.  [Go to www.wordle.net to create a word cloud online.]

Lord's Day Faith Chat - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 7, 2011

Readings:  1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Psalm 85; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

This Sunday, we proclaim the account of Jesus walking on the water.  There are a couple of thoughts that strike me in this reading.

"After he had fed the people (last week we heard the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with two fish and five loaves), Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray." (Matthew 14:22-23, NAB)

Jesus sent the disciples on ahead of him, then went off by himself to pray.  After curing the sick and feeding the hungry, Jesus needed to refresh and renew his spirit.  And, if you remember, he hadn't had very long to mourn the death of his cousin, John the Baptist.  Jesus recognized his need to be along with his Father.  He needed to pray to his Father about the sorrow he was feeling, to rest in his Father's arms, to simply bask in the silence of God's love.

Parents need time to refresh and renew their spirits.  Parenthood is a 24/7 job.  We feed kids, make sure they are clean and clothed, tend their injuries and illnesses, listen to their joys and struggles, and much more.  Parents need to make time to reconnect with one another and to God, our loving Father.

When was the last time you and your spouse got away?  Or if you are a single parent, when was the last time you were alone?  It is critical for your spirituality and for your sanity, to get away from your kids once in a while.  It doesn't have to be a long time; simple date nights or even an hour or two after sending the kids to be early every now and then will suffice.  Make a commitment to you, your spouse, God, and your kids, to get away.  Even if your kids whine and cry, "Why do we need to go to bed early tonight?" or "Why can't we go with you?" or "I just can't survive without you!" explain to them that you will be a better parent to them if you get a little quiet time once in a while.

Another segment of this story that spoke to me is when Jesus walks on water and approaches the boat.  Peter exclaims, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."  I have often struggled with Peter's doubt:  "If it is you..."  But I had a different insight this week.  Peter loved Jesus so much that he wanted to be like Jesus.  I can imagine him thinking, "If Jesus can walk on water, maybe he'll let me walk on water, too!"  Just as Peter wanted to be like Jesus, our children want to be like us.  It is natural for children to look up to their parents.  After all, their first encounter with God and God-like love is through their parents.  So kids want to do things that their parents do.  I remember the questions my daughters asked when they were little:  "Can we stay up with you tonight?"  They wanted to be like me, to see what I did after they went to bed (and they hated missing out on anything that might be happening!)  "When can I take Communion?" (before they celebrated their First Communion.)  "When can I have my first glass of wine?" (when they were a little older.)  "Will I have an office like you someday?"  When parents share God's love with their children, their children want to be like them.  When Jesus did something, Peter wanted to be like him.

So Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water.  "But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'  Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter."  Peter did fine while he was focused on Jesus, but when he started listening to the wind, he lost his trust and courage and began to sink.  I can't tell you how often I've done the same.  I pray daily.  I often feel God's presence with me throughout the day, but many times when life or work just seems overwhelming, I loose my trust and courage and feel like I'm sinking into despair.  Jesus, like a loving parent, immediately - immediately - stretches out his hand and rescues me.  Just as we would not hesitate to save our kids - catching them on their bikes as they are learning to ride, picking them up after they've fallen, running to them when they're hurt, rushing them to the doctor when they're sick - Jesus never hesitates to save us.  We just need to reach out, grasp his hand, and allow him to pull us up.

This week, make time to get away with your spouse or by yourself.  Take a walk.  Go to a movie.  Take a nap.  Spend time in prayer.  And then think about how you want to be like Jesus.  What one characteristic of Jesus would you like to nurture in your life?  How can nurturning that gift help you to be a better parent?

With your whole family, re-read the Gospel reading and talk about the "strong winds" in your life that pull you away from focusing on Jesus.  Share ideas of how you can help one another stay focused on Jesus despite the strong winds.

Sharing Our Hope - Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 29, 2011

"Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope..."  (1 Peter 3:15b-16a)

As followers of Christ, we are people of hope.  Christ's love fills us and compels us to live in hope. 

According to dictionary definitions, hope is both a noun and a verb.  As a noun, it is "the feeling that something wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best."  As a verb, hope is "to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence; to believe, desire, or trust."

As both a noun and a verb, hope is an attitude, an orientation toward life, a way of life.  Hope is not a pie-in-the-sky outlook that everything will always come up roses.  Rather, it is an attitude of trust in God and belief in - knowledge of - God's presence with us even in the midst of our suffering.  While hope laughs and is filled with joy, hope also grieves and longs for comfort and peace.

If hope is an attitude, we express our hope in the way that we live.  If we are people of hope, we will look on the world with realistic optimism.  Yes, we recognize the problems in our world, the sufferings, the violence, the evils.  As we recognize the issues, though, we do, as St. Ignatius of Loyola proclaimed, "Pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on us."  We pray, asking God to fill our lives and our world with peace and comfort, but at the same time, we work to bring peace and comfort to our lives and our world.

Living with an attitude of hope is a choice.  Here are some ideas for you to consider in living a life of hope:

• When you wake up in the morning, do you keep your eyes closed and groan, "Another busy day," or do you open your eyes and embrace the day with a positive and prayerful attitude such as "Lord, this day is yours, may my activities bring glory to your name"?
• As you encounter difficulties and stress throughout the day, do you grumble and complain or do you pray, "Lord, help me to work through this; fill me with your Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and courage," then do your best to be patient and positive?
• As your children argue and complain, do you respond with frustration and yelling or do you, in your frustration, give both you and your children a few moments to calm down, then resolve the situation with active listening and compassion?
• At the end of the day, do you fall into bed with the prayer, "Thank God it's over," or do you count your blessings, looking back over the day with gratitude, "Thank you, God, for this day"?

Hope as an attitude, a way of life, takes practice.  At times you will be overwhelmed with hope, and at other times you will be filled with doubt.  What matters most is that you be intenational about living a life of hope.  Just keep trying, reaching out to God for guidance.

As you live in hope, your children will follow your example.  As people ask you why you have such hope, tell them, "with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:16a) that you have made an intentional choice to trust God and that you believe that God is with you even in the midst of suffering.  As you live a life of hope, your example will bless others and encourage them to want to live with the same kind of hope.

So live today in an attitude of hope, calling on God to help you, working to do your best to be hopeful, then thanking God for all of your blessings at the end of the day.

Divine DNA - Lord's Day Faith Chat for Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 22, 2011

Jesus said, "Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves" (John 14:11).

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, which is what empowered him to heal the sick, raise the dead, and break the barriers around people's hearts.  As a human being, Jesus recognized and realized completely the Great Indwelling (credit to Richard Rohr, O.F.M. for this term.) 

The Spirit dwells within us, as well.  I love Richard Rohr's in The Naked Now (which I'm reading again for the second time) how he explains that we are created with Divine DNA.  We are created in God's image and likeness, and so we are filled with Divine DNA.  Just as Jesus was filled with Divine DNA, we, too, contain that DNA.  The difference is that Jesus completely realized his DNA in his earthly life, and we will likely not attain complete realization until after we enter into eternal life with God.

How do you recognize and realize then live your Divine DNA?  Any person can recognize and realize their Divine DNA simply by being open to the Presence.  As you go through your days, be aware of the Presence within you and around you.  Take notice of the blessings surrounding you; they are not coincidental.  The sun rises every morning despite the clouds; this is a blessing.  You greet family and friends; this is a blessing (most days, at least.)  You accomplish your daily tasks and then some; this is a blessing. 

You can take an active role in recognize the Presence within you through prayer.  As you talk with God, allow time to listen for God's voice.  As you read the Scriptures, sit quietly with the words and listen for God's voice in those words.  As you pray devotionals, like the Rosary or a Litany, be open to the movement of the Spirit within you.

Note your moods.  As you become more and more aware of the Presence within you, your Divine DNA, your moods will likely mellow.  It is amazing that as one becomes more aware of God's Presence within them, they are able to handle so much more.  They recognize God's Presence and know that God will help them through everything, which allows them to take everything as it comes.

Others will begin to recognize the Divine DNA within you as you act and do works resulting from the prompting of the Spirit within you.  You may simply smile more; people will notice and smile in return.  You may have the right words to say to a friend in distress.  You may just be in the right place at the right time to offer a hug to someone in need.  You will give more of yourself and your resources than you may have done in the past.

So what will you do today to become aware of and tap into the Divine DNA within you?

Faith Chat:

Adults:  How is Jesus your Way, Truth, and Life?  How do you experience Jesus in your daily living?

Youth/Children:  What are some of the things that you do to make sure you follow Jesus rather than the forces that try to pull you away from living as Jesus wants you to live?

Faith Response:  Discuss with your family how Jesus gives direction to your lives.  Give each family member a piece of construction paper to make road signs designating ways that will lead you to God.  Post your road signs around your house to remind family members to stay on the path to God.

 

Recognizing Jesus - Faith Chat for Third Sunday of Easter, May 8, 2011

It is the morning of the first day of the week, three days after Jesus' crucifixion.  Two of Jesus' disciples, Cleopas and an unnamed disciple, were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, "seven miles" or about a two hour walk.  They were grieving over Jesus' death and also puzzling over the women's report that the tomb was empty and an angel had said that Jesus was alive.

A man, whom they didn't recognize, caught up with them and engaged them in conversation.  I can imagine Jesus coming up to them and saying something like, "Good morning.  May I walk with you for a while?  What are you talking about?"

Cleopas engages the stranger in conversation and recounts all of the events of the last few days.  Jesus responds by saying, "Oh, how foolish you are!  How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!  Was it not nececessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"  As Jesus relates everything that referred to him, the Messiah, from the Scriptures, wouldn't the disciples have recognized what he was saying?  Wouldn't they have thought, "This guy sounds like Jesus.  Could it be him?"  But no, they didn't recognize Jesus in his words.  It was only after they had stopped to eat and Jesus blessed and broke the bread that the disciples recognized him. 

How like them I am!  I can go through my days without recognizing Jesus in my midst - in the people I meet, in creation, even in my prayer (too many times my prayer is focused on me, not God) - but I recognize Jesus every time I participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.  In the community with whom I worship God, in the breaking of the bread, and in receiving Christ in Communion, I recognzie - I KNOW - that Jesus is with me. 

My heart burns within me with the knowledge that Jesus is always with me, but it is in the celebration of the Eucharist that I recognize and remember that Jesus is with me always.

Faith Chat:

Adults: When have the eyes of your heart been opened to recognize the presence of the risen Lord?

Youth/Children: How have you recognized the risen Lord in your life at school, at home, in your extra-curricular activities?

Faith Response: In the Emmaus story, the disciples didn't recognize Jesus until they shared a meal with him.  Make time this week for a sit-down-at-the-table leisurely family meal.  As you eat together, talk about ways your family can be more aware of Jesus' presence in your lives.

 

Lord's Day Faith Chat - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 20, 2010

Readings:  Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil."  (Matthew 5:39)

Whenever I tell people that they are holy or their families are holy, I'm often met with a surprised expression.  I don't think we human beings really believe that we are holy.  Yet, we are created in the Divine Image, so there must be something good and holy within us.

Today's reading is an example of how we can live our holiness.  It is in our human nature to react to situations.  When someone does something to us, we typically react by doing something to them in return.  Jesus challenges us, however, to put aside our human tendencies and draw strength from the Divine Image within us to "offer no resistance to...evil."  Jesus challenges us to be holy.

There are many examples of people who have prayed for their enemies or forgiven someone who has hurt them.  A few years ago, a man entered an Amish church or school and killed several people.  The Amish community responded with forgiveness for the man and welcome to the man's family.  I've heard stories of parents who have lost a child to a drunk driver or murderer forgiving their child's killer.  These people draw their strength and hope, forgiveness and love from the Divine Image within them.  It's not easy, I am very sure, but somehow, deep within their hearts, they know that this is the better way.  The only way to stop violence is with love and forgiveness.

So what does this mean for our immediate families?  Sometimes we are the hardest on the people who are closest to us.  Spouses argue.  Siblings fight.  Friendships fall apart.  We need to heed Jesus' challenge for us to "turn the other cheek" most especially in our families.

My husband and I have been married for 23 years, and some of those years have been difficult.  He's done things that have hurt me.  I've done more things that have hurt him.  Yet somehow we continue to draw from the Divine Image within each of us to keep forgiving and loving each other.  I know that we'd have been divorced long ago if it weren't for our faith in and commitment to God.  It's our faith in and commitment to God that gives us strength to continue to live our commitment to each other.

We still have plenty of disagreements and arguments in our house (I'm sure our neighbors will attest to this fact.)  After every fight, though, we draw on the strength of the Divine Image within us to forgive one another and move forward in love.

Jesus knows that his challenge to us is not easy.  He knows that our human nature is reactive.  He also knows, though, that God created each one of us holy and will give us the strength and courage that we need to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to pray for those who persecute us. 

We are holy.  We need to draw from the Divine Image of Love that exists deep within our hearts and souls.

Faith Chat Questions:

Adults/Youth/Children:  What does it mean to be holy?  What one thing can you do to better live a life of holiness?

Faith Response:  This week, pray for those people whom you consider your "enemies."  Invite each family member to write a prayer asking God to bless those people with whom you don't get along or just don't like.  Pray your prayers every day this week.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you challenge us to go beyond human expectation, to go the extra mile in loving and forgiving others.  Fill us with your Spirit of strength and courage so that we might live your challenge to be holy.  Amen.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 13, 2011

Readings:  Sirach 15:15-20; Psalm 119; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.  I have come not to abolish but to fulfill."  (Matthew 5:17)

If read in its entirety, this Sunday's Gospel is long.  It tells about Jesus' teaching about the law, how Jesus has come to fulfill the law rather than abolish it.  Jesus sees the value of the Commandments and the prophets, and he challenges the scribes and the Pharisees, his disciples, and us to see their value as well.  He does so by inviting us to a different perspective:  "You have heard that...But I say to you..."

In reading through the four laws that Jesus references - anger,adultery, divorce, and oaths - it is interesting that Jesus expands the understanding of them.  "You shall not kill" becomes "whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment."  "You shall not commit adultery" becomes "everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery."  "Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce" becomes "whoever divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery."  "Do not take a false oath" becomes "do not swear at all."  When looking at them from Jesus' perspective, the letter of the law seems easier to live than the spirit of the law.

Being a follower, a disciple, of Jesus isn't always easy.  Jesus calls us to consider a different perspective, a deeper perspective.  It's not always easy to live according to Jesus' teaching.  But we do have a choice.

If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do God's will.  (Sirach 15:15)

Utlimately, Jesus wants us to live according to God's will.  He shows us that it's not always easy, that it often goes deeper than the letter of the law to the spirit of the law.  If we live according to God's will, however, if we choose to abide by the spirit of the law, we will be salt for the earth and light to the world, offering a different perspective, a more generous way of living.

Faith Chat Questions:

Adults:  When do you find yourself living by "the letter of the law"?  What frees you to live "the spirit of the law"?

Youth/Children:  In your own words, describe what the spirit of God's law is.

Faith Response:  Invite each family member to think of a rule or law that causes them difficulty, that they have a hard time living and obeying.  Discuss the laws or rules that cause difficulty:  Why do you think that rule exists? Why might you have a hard time following it? Then discuss what the "spirit" of that law might be and how it might be easier or harder to live the spirit of that law.

Pray:  Lord Jesus, fill us with your presence so that we can live the spirit of your love in the world.  Amen.

 

Lord's Day Faith Chat - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 6, 2011

Readings:  Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world..."  (Matthew 5:13)

I think it's pretty understandable what Jesus means by "You are the light of the world."  We call Christ Jesus our Light, and as his disciples, we share his light with the world.  We bring the Christ's light into the darkness of suffering and confusion when we love our families and friends and do good for all of God's creation.

"Salt" can be a more elusive metaphor than light.  In ancient times, salt was a necessary commodity.  Not only was it used to give flavor to food, but it was needed to preserve food.  They didn't have refrigerators or ice boxes to keep their food unspoiled, so they salted their meat and other foods to keep it preserved until they used it all.

While most of us don't salt our meat and other perishable foods, we do use salt as one of our primary spices.  Salt gives bland food flavor.  Interestingly, though, too much salt spoils the taste of the food.  Have you ever had popcorn that was too salty?  Did you try to scrape off as much salt as you could so you could eat the popcorn?  The salt doesn't come off very well; it stays adhered to the popcorn.  Eating popcorn that is too salty makes you very thirsty.

Thinking of Jesus' metaphor of "You are the salt of the earth" in relation to salt on popcorn makes me wonder:  Does our "saltiness" add flavor to the world, to the lives of the people we know and meet?  What flavor does our saltiness give to the world?  Are we salty enough to make people "thirsty for Jesus"?  And just how are we salty enough to make people thirsty for Jesus?

When I think of being a "light of the world," I think of sharing Jesus' love with my family, friends, and all the people I meet.  When I think of being "salt for the earth," I think of sharing the joy I feel knowing Jesus with others.  It seems to me that in addition to love, joy is the flavor that our world needs.  There is so much suffering:  people are hungry, homeless, imprisoned by despair and need.  When we offer people hope by giving of our resources, especially if it's a sacrifice for us, we share the salt of joy with them.  When we share our presence with someone who just needs someone to be with them and listen to them, we share the salt of joy with them.  When we offer a word of encouragement to someone who is having a bad day, we share the salt of joy with them. 

Joy is deeper than happiness.  Happiness seems to be elusive; it's hard to be happy when we're having a bad day, or week, or month, or year.  We can be joyful, however, in the midst of our suffering.  Even when we're experience the worst we could ever comprehend, we can still be joyful knowing that God is always with us and that the bad days will not last forever.

This week, as you flavor your food with salt, think about how you have been joyful in the midst of pain and difficult experiences.  Think, too, about how you can share the salt of joy with others in your life.

Faith Chat Questions:

Adults:  How do you share Jesus' light with your family, friends, and people you meet?  How are you salt for our world?

Youth/Children:  How do you feel when Jesus says YOU are the salt of the earth and that YOU are called to be light for others?

Faith Response:  As a family, explore a dark closet, cabinet, or basement with a flashlight.  Does the darkness overpower the light, or does the light overtake the darkness?  Discuss how light always overtakes darkness and how this relates to living in the light of Christ.  Pop some popcorn.  Leave half of it unsalted and salt the other half.  Discuss how the popcorn tastes salted and unsalted.  Discuss how you can live as a "salted" Christian.  How do you add flavor as you follow Christ?

Prayer:  Jesus, you are the Light of the World.  Inspire us to live in your light despite the darkness that may surround us.  Sprinkle us with your salt so that we might flavor our world with your love and joy.  Amen.