Category: Sermon
Jesus, Our Lord and Optician ~ Br. Jay Van Lieshout, Postulant
Jesus told his disciples a parable:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
Jesus loved parables; and rightfully so, they are an excellent way of teaching, of conveying concepts and are a continuation of the techniques in the Torah. Today’s gospel shows how well this teaching technique can be used to present ideas in a way that withstands the cloudy nature of time. But there is another side to parables, a side again well used in this gospel: you can critique people without ever pointing a finger or mentioning names and yet it will be clear about who or what the parable is referencing; it is in this manner that Jesus aims strip us of our arrogant ways so that we may begin to walk in his footsteps.
Jesus has found the perfect “teaching moment” for his disciples and one that they and all of us need if we hope to spread the good news. We know that Jesus thought of the practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and one can imagine that his disciples would gossip and lambaste the church leaders among themselves as well as to those they encountered. We also know that this type of behavior is contrary to Jesus’ methods of conflict resolution and the path to salvation. Thus, we have the parable of the blind leading the blind. It’s important to note that Jesus prefaces this parable with teachings on loving one’s enemies and the perils of judging and condemning others the result of which will be return judgment and condemnation. But if you love your enemy and forgive them their transgressions, this favor will be returned and “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Now the parable begins with Jesus rhetorically asking his disciples “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?” On the surface this seems to be an almost comic image about the visually impaired, but underneath the disciples understood Jesus was referencing the blind of faith, those who know and enforce the law but are blinded to their own transgressions, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the pit isn’t a hole in the ground, but is the eternal grave that such arrogance digs here on Earth. It is very likely that the disciples immediately understood the implications of this parable and, before one of them could utter the standard “but Rabbi” , Jesus turns his attention to his followers and says “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” This is clearly meant quell their growing self righteousness and remind them they still have a long journey, much to learn and even more to change before they are ready to fill his shoes.
I surmise that there must have been some discussion and perhaps even rumblings among the disciples after Jesus so aptly adjusted their attitudes, though any such parlay has was not recorded by the writer of Luke. Yet the next few stanzas of this gospel are a pointed critique and chastisement of one or more of his student’s seemingly lofty and pretentious behavior. “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” I imagine the wide eyed and astonished look on his disciples faces in response to this stern tongue lashing by their Mentor. But, like all of us now and then, they needed to learn an important message if they ever hoped to emulate their teacher: don’t judge other’s behavior until you are sure that your behavior is above reproach!
We all must consider how our actions are perceived in the eyes of those around us. To them we are no better than the way we act and if our actions do not reflect our words we are no better than a liar and a fraud. Jesus is reminding us that we must focus on KNOWING and CHANGING ourselves on the inside and only then could we be like the teacher and lead by example. Jesus finishes this lesson with a charge to his disciples to actively respond to his words for “someone who listens and does nothing is like the man who built a house on soil, with no foundations; as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!”
Like the original disciples, we must see our own flaws, hear the words of Jesus and with them build a foundation of love and mercy, of openness, forgiveness and unity and equality. Only then will our eyes be clear enough to guide the blind in faith past the perilous pit and follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Teacher.
Resolving Conflict??? ~ Br. Jay Van Lieshout, Postulant
Commentary on Matthew 18:15-20
In today’s world, just like in the time of Jesus and when the Gospel according to Matthew was written, interpersonal conflict resolution was a key theme. And if we think about it, Jesus’ message is all about understanding, handling and resolving such conflict between people so that we may go to the Father with open arms and a loving heart. The author of Matthew was living in a time of growth in the church and most of the converts were gentiles. The clash of gentile with Hebrew culture and traditions must have fueled many a disagreement and given rise to a lot of hurt feelings. In this gospel, Jesus prescribes a simple 4 step approach to handling when someone steps on your toes in life: 1) one on one, 2) bring mediators to the table, 3) elicit community support, 4) reindoctrination.
We have all unknowingly said or done something that others found offensive and yet nothing was said at the time. Unfortunately these unaddressed events add up, snowball and fester until that one fateful day when the situation explodes and your relationship, and your life and theirs are forever changed; if only you had known, if only they has said something; you would have apologized, changed your behavior, made atonement, done the right thing. How many times have lives so drastically changes because we were not offered, or we did not offer the chance to say “I’m sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me and allow me to change”? Jesus knew the immediate, cleansing and healing nature of the one on one interaction, how “nipping it in the bud” usually resolves a transgression without escalation. He also knew we can be unwilling to admit fault and this requires the involvement of unbiased witnesses in faith to evaluate, clarify and encourage repentance. And, sometimes our hearts are hard, and our minds are so unwilling that it requires the SUPPORT of the whole community in faith to guide us towards accepting our flaws and giving in to reconciliation.
One can imagine the apostles thinking, “and if all this is unsuccessful, then what do we do”? Without prompting, Jesus tells us the answer without the question being asked: “If he also ignores the congregation, regard him as an unbeliever and a tax collector.” Now many have interpreted this line as a justification for tossing someone out of the church and closing the doors on them. I tell you from my heart this is not what Jesus intended! Consider how Jesus treated the gentiles (and Matthew the tax collector); He called them to listen, to follow, and to learn anew. Jesus never closed the door, He never gave up, and so neither should we. Matthew codifies this need to be persistently forgiving by bookending this gospel with two parables: that of the lost sheep and, the unforgiving servant. In the parable of the lost sheep which immediately precedes today’s gospel: a good shepherd leaves his flock of 99 to tirelessly search for the one that is lost and rejoices more in the reclaimed sheep than those 99 who never went astray. Later, when Peter asks Jesus how many times to forgive someone who sins, Jesus says 77 times (i.e. a whole lot) and proceeds to tell the parable of the servant who asks for forgiveness from his master and yes fails to give forgiveness to one in his debt. This parable reinforces how we as servants of God must forgive those who sin against us if we hope to have our sins forgiven.
In the midst’s of these parables and at the end of today’s gospel is the most poignant and beautiful of Jesus’ teachings: “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Jesus is ensuring the apostles, and us, that He and the Father are always there for us, helping us to walk the path of the righteous and as a result of his real presence we too have the power to call back the lost sheep with the powers of prayer, care and diligence. The reward for loving our neighbors as Jesus has loved us is clear, when we ask for and grant forgiveness to others, God grants this petition for them AND heaps on us the rewards His boundless love, grace and forgiveness. Amen.
Love in Action~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ” Romans 12:9-18
Our scripture lesson this Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is from Paul’s Epistle to the Romans and might simply be entitled, Love in Action. Because in these few short sentences, Paul is reminding us of what it is to be truly followers of Christ. All to often, we believe ourselves to be Christian but in reflection~ are we?
Sadly, I find myself the victim of this litmus test. Recent events surrounding a police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri have me questioning my beliefs. As priestly as I try to keep myself, I cannot repress those thirty years of being a police officer. I look at the situation not with compassion, but with a critical eye. Was the shooting justified? Was the police response excessive? Were the actions of the protestors reserved? Can the looting and the violence be any means to an end?
It is indeed a difficult test. Nevertheless, it is a test we all must undergo. Not just because of this incident in Missouri, but with the escalation of violence throughout the world. We find ourselves, our belief in the fact that we are followers of Christ; challenged by the very concept that developments in the world today do not make being truly Christian, easy. But nothing truly worth while ever is.
Christ tasks us in today’s Gospel to, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ” [ Matthew 16:24 ] This not only implies worldly tangibles but also our opinions and judgments. We must look at people and their conditions in life with a new perspective. To seek to understand and appreciate that which influences their reactions and beliefs. ” Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay not attention to the beam in your own? You hypocrite, first remove the beam from your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ” [ Mathew 7:3-5 ]
As difficult as we find the situations that present themselves to us, we must pray to resolve them as Christians. In doing so, we provide examples to others as to the compassion and charity of Christ. We can condemn that which is wrong and unjust, as long as we serve up solutions and answers which are fair and just. ” If you love only those who love you, what is your reward? “; Christ ask us. [ Matthew 5:46 ]
For the most part, these are personal opinions that must be overcome. We need to look at the world through the eyes of Christ. So that not only our actions are compassionate and charitable, but that we are truly as well. Easily, not easy but if we put on love and put love into action, surely this can be done.
“Therefore, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility and patience. Forgive one another, as Christ forgave you. For of all virtues, put on love. It is love that binds us together. Let the peace of Christ be in your hearts.” [Colossians 3:12-15]
Maintain Justice, Maintain Faith
First Reading – Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Response – Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Second Reading – Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Gospel – Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
“I walk the miles
into the desert of my need
til God finds me.”
~ B. English
It is interesting, is it not – that someone so faith-filled can be healed or have someone healed on their faith alone? But already I am getting ahead of myself. I should take a cue from a wonderful song and start at the very beginning.
Our first reading today is a bit of a tangent from our normal Sunday discussions. We will catch up with the departure in part of our Gospel, but today we hear those magic words infiltrating mass media coverage – “WE NEED JUSTICE”. But justice, it seems, is destined for those who are foreign. Of course the author is not suggesting that only those of foreign birth can receive that Justice, but what is being Divinely inspired here is that we must be foreign to our own natures; something again touched on further in the Gospel reading, which we will get to in just a moment.
“Thus says the Lord GOD, <*dramatic pause*> who gathers the outcasts of Israel,…” Yes, outcasts. Sound familiar?
Here we are in a church full of outcasts and disenfranchised, but even then we are not the ones +He+ seeks. We have already found our home and are quite happy being with people who also have a home. Believe it or not, you are no longer one of those. WE are no longer outcasts because we have found people who love us and that we can love. No, what our Lord is referencing is those who have yet to be found or to find their path. THOSE are the ones he will reach out to and bring to peace. There are, as can be expected, rules which must be followed. (Isn’t there always?!?!? Why is it that everything has strings attached?)
Look – it is so easy to follow these rules. Love God, keep the sabbath. That is pretty much it! Later Jesus gives us one more commandment to follow – love our neighbor as ourselves. Yes, in so doing we automatically adhere to the decalogue (the 10 commandments), but keeping the sabbath is the key – it is not just a single day out of the week, it is a mindset. It is something we take deep inside ourselves and reflect back to the world every day until we come back the very next celebration of the Eucharist. Again, however, I digress. Let us get back to the teaching.
Our second reading picks up on the first – do not reject anyone! God did not so you better not! It’s that simple. And then we jump in with both feet to a really long discussion which basically says this: we are biological creatures focusing on the wrong issues. We focus on which hand feeds us rather than on what comes out of our hearts. We focus on rules and regulations rather than the hatred and vile we spew. We claim we are servants yet we go out into the streets yelling and screaming, and challenging people to come get our sorry butts and haul us off to jail because we are too stupid to – – LOVE even those with whom we have difficulties.
Then, suddenly, it seems as if our Gospel goes off track and engages in a bit of contextomy, but it is to purely make a point – we claim faith and following, but rarely do we back it up with action. The woman was so filled with faith that she KNEW with all her heart her daughter would be healed. There was no going one way or the other. There was no hypocrisy in her belief. There in the last half of our Gospel +Jesus brings the Hebrew Scriptures to life – “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But she came and knelt before him…”
It is our not just our faith alone that saves us, although that is enough, yes. We must be reflections of that faith and BE the very thing we claim to be. We must be like the woman knowing in our heart and soul – knowing at the very fabric of our beings, that our Sacred Wandering will bring us to our Lord and we will find comfort in +Him. But +He will know our hearts and minds. +He will know if we practice
what we preach…
God finds me
in the miles of my need
and so I walk out of the desert.
~ k. nelan
Spend, Spend, Spend ~ The Very Rev. Lady Sherwood, OPoc
Isaiah 55:1-5 55:1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 55:2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. 55:4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. 55:5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
I was looking around the town the other day and many sights and thoughts came to my attention. I passed an real estate agent’s office so decided to look at the houses and prices to see what was on offer. There were a wide range of properties with varying sizes, rooms and amenities, but yet the one thing in common between them all were the thousands of pounds (even hundreds of thousands) that we as people spend on these items. Further down the road there was a car showroom with red, blue, yellow, and other various coloured types of shiny new cars for sale, again at very expensive prices which we seem happy to pay to attain them. I passed clothes shops galore with all the very latest fashions of all different shapes, sizes and designs, and saw the prices of what many people see as ‘must haves’.
It was then that John passed by me. John is a well known homeless gentleman with only one set of clothing to his name. The thing I notice often when coming across John, is his happy demeanor. Even in his poor circumstances, he is always smiling and always greets everyone with a happy and polite greeting. John, I know, is a Christian, who despite being poor and homeless gets his true happiness from his love, trust and faith in God. He never asks for anything but always wants others to have a blessed day. He doesn’t feel that he “needs” the things others do.
Houses, cars, holidays, clothes and other earthly materialistic items, and money do not bring true happiness, although to some they may get an extremely temporary period of satisfaction. As the Lord quite clearly tells us, we should not live a life of spending money or buying earthly things as these things are fleeting and will surely pass away. The only way to eternal happiness is from the bread and wine, gifts of the body and blood of true life, and by hearing, understanding and living the word of God! Anything which we truly need, the Lord will provide for us when the Lord sees it is time to do so. Some may be happy to spend, spend, spend on earthly things but as for me, I choose the only true happiness and salvation of our Heavenly Father to fill my life. I choose to use my money to show the Lords love to others who are in need instead of for unrighteous materialistic things that hold no hope of true happiness!!
What about you? On what do you spend your money? Do you really need that new outfit? A bigger house? How many people could be fed by what you spend on that new gadget? So what is your choice? On what, or whom, will you spend, Spend, Spend?
That’s Some Expensive Dirt Ya Got Mustard On! ~ Fr. Ken Nelan
1st Reading – 1 Kings 3:5-12
Responsorial – Psalm 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-130
2nd Reading – Romans 8: 26-39
Gospel – Matthew 13: 31-333, 44-52
13:31-32 … “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Here we go again – all these parables all at once telling me what, to go out and plant a bush in really expensive land? Well, if you really must ask then sure, let’s go with that for a second. What today’s gospel is saying is that we should take something infinitely small and cherish it so much that it becomes the sole focus of our lives. Be thankful for what you’ve got. and when you find something worthwhile, be sure to invest all you are into what you’re doing. Yes, that is the one of the many lessons embedded within the Pearl of Great Price, but there is another focus or tangent I’d like to follow – would you ever recognize the treasure or seed if you saw it? How do you know you’ve invested all you are into what you believe to be valuable? Or – are you like the one who finds treasure in someone else’ field? Do you hide the treasure so that you alone can reap its rewards? See – today’s Gospel isn’t so cut and dry. It may or may not be about the value we find. It could be about the evil we do when we hide something that rightfully belongs to someone else only to claim it for ourselves.
Rather than create a shadow over a great parable, let’s look at this in terms of the treasures already in our lives. I’d like to borrow from a great friend who mentioned the great works coming out of special people in his life. How do we treat those treasures in our life; the ones we are surrounded by day in and day out, those we might take for granted or rely on daily, and those who give of themselves so freely that we assume they will be there at every moment of our own needs – how well do we take care of our treasures? Do we even see them as we move through our busy lives?
Things we see as being small and insignificant sometimes contain within them enough energy and power that they could alter the very fabric of our realities, yet we pass them by leaving them hidden in the soil until we see them too late in our lives to do anything about them. Fear grips us and prevents us from moving forward and grabbing the pearl in a moment’s notice. We forget how to fish or make loaves of bread. We even forget how to plant a seed so that later we can cherish the resulting fruit or flowers.
Living today’s Gospel isn’t as easy as planting a seed, baking bread, or fishing an ocean with nets. Our complacency has kept us from recognizing the good things in our lives so we instead focus on the weeds, the stale bread, and the rotting fish on the shores. BUT — Our Gospel today teaches us to be thankful for the good things we’ve got and to move in the Lord when we recognize +His presence in our lives. It also means helping and empowering those around us to do the same.
We have a chance to be like the one who finds, after years of what seems like endless searching, a great pearl – THE BEST PEARL – who then goes to do all he can so that he can own it. He sells off some of his possessions, possibly even gets a second job for a while hoping no one else will buy that great pearl. His hard work and dedication is rewarded when he is able to own that one great pearl.
The pearls are all around us. They help us move through our lives and give us comfort in times of need. They are often invisible until we need them, but they are there.
Be thankful for what you have and then be a pearl for someone else. Be great and thankful. Yes, I think those two words are the greatest of lessons within our Gospel today – be thankful and then be all you can be for someone else.
How is your Soil? ~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf
” A farmer went out to sow seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path and the birds came by and ate it up. Some fell on the rocky places, where there was little soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow, and when the sun came up, the plants scorched and withered because they had no root. Other seeds fell among the thorns, which grew but were choked by the other plants. But some seed on good soil, and produced fruit- a hundred, sixty or thirty fold what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear. ” Matthew 13:3-9
Christ many times speaks to us in parables. Short simple illustrative stories, so that we might remember an important lesson. Like His story for us today. Which, if we were farmers, is a valuable lesson on how to properly plant seed. Be deliberate and look for good soil. Growing up as a child, I planted many a garden in my backyard and many a time watched in disappointment as my flowers failed. Do not get me wrong, sometimes they did bloom spectacularly but such required tending and a lot of work. If we look deeper into Jesus’ words, we find His true lesson.
Christ is sowing his seed is his message of hope, love and eternal life, within us. It is our hearts, mind and souls which are the soil of which He speaks. How is our soil? Is it good soil?
Are you open and receptive to God and the message of Jesus Christ? Or do you just “go through the motions” of being a Christian, like the seeds falling along the path? Hearing God’s message, but just letting it blow away from you in the wind or leaving it behind to be eaten by birds? Not being bothered by serious spiritual things, for there are more important things to do today.
Are you like rocky hard soil? The world has become a violent place. Our lives caught up in the bombardment of media, tragic news and desperate situations abound. Where is the mercy and justice of God? Have you become cynical and skeptical? Has your heart turned into a thorny field, where you doubts and uncertainties choke out the passionate prayer of Christ’s message?
God is an excellent farmer. God has created all the world in its beauty and majesty. Without doubt His seed- His message, His word… is good. Every seed has potential. Every person can grow into a marvelous and wonderful creation of God- loving, caring and merciful.
But we must always be attentive to the seed God has planted. Every garden needs to be nourished, watered, weeded and watched. The seed must be allowed to take root, so God’s word can grow and prosper. Then like the wildflowers sown in a summer field, God’s love, majesty and mercy will spread.
Tend to the seed which Christ has planted. Let it take root within you. Nourish it. Encourage it. Feel it. Love it. So that you- and indeed the fruit of God himself, can grow and prosper within the world. Check your soil. Tend to the seed. And has Christ has told us, ” Whoever has ears, let them hear. ” Amen.
We Have a Job to Do. Git ‘er Done!!!!!!!!!
In the readings appointed for today, we find, from Psalm 48: 12 Walk about Zion, go all around it, count its towers, 13 consider well its ramparts; go through its citadels, that you may tell the next generation
14 that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.
And then from Ezekiel: 2:3 He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day.
2:4 The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD.”
2:5 Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
And finally, from the Gospel according to Mark: 6:7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 6:8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 6:9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 6:10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 6:11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 6:12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.
It would seem that we have a job to do. The constant theme throughout today’s readings is simple: Go and tell. Go and witness. Go and preach. Some of you may say, “Well this is fine, well, and good for those who are ministers, preachers, and priests. I am not called to preach, though. What am I supposed to do????” We will think about that in a few seconds.
Preaching is the very purpose of the Dominican Order, to which I belong. Our Order is even known as “The Order of Preachers.” And true, that in English, preaching means pulpit oratory, but St. Dominic did not name his Order in English, but in Latin – Ordo Praedicatores – meaning those who are engaged in “praedicatio.” If you look in a Latin dictionary you will find that “praedicatio” means “making known” or “proclamation.” This has a much broader, much wider meaning than mere pulpit oratory. ALL of us are called to preach, to proclaim. The very second that you accepted Christ into your heart, you were charged with the mission to become a preacher, a proclaimer, of the Gospel. Simply living your life as Christ has called you do live it is proclaiming the Gospel. We are not to be selfish, but to use what we are given to help each other, and to spread to the world the message of Christ’s redeeming love. This, as St. Dominic said, was essential for us if we were to give a good example to others. Nothing will win others more than our living our Christian lives, no matter how difficult it may be at times.
Another way of preaching that you can do, is the sharing of your faith with others. You are going to run into people, as I am sure you do all the time, who have a false and twisted idea of what true Christians believe. These people will challenge you. In these circumstances we should always follow St. Peter’s advice: Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence. (I Peter 3: 16b-17a) But to do this effectively you really have to know your religion thoroughly. There are so many false ideas out there about the true meaning of being a Christian, and about what Christ taught, about the Scriptures and about morals. When they present all kinds of false ideas about the Bible, how are you going to answer them? There are answers and it is incumbent on you, as a Christian, to know them.
Admittedly, none of these are spectacular or glamorous ways of preaching, but they are most effective ways. You may not feel that you have been effective and you may think you have failed to make any impression at all and, of course, you may not have. But you never know how God is going to use what you say and how you say it. We must keep in mind that rarely is one person responsible for the conversion of another. The process of conversion is something like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. People along the way slip in a piece or two until finally the puzzle is complete, but the picture is not finished until every single piece is in place. God may be asking you to put in only a few pieces but they are necessary pieces. You will not know, however, until the Last Judgment when you will see the whole picture, completed and perfect, just what great influence you have had. That is, perhaps, the only way that any of us are going to be able to see the results of our preaching. Let each one of us take seriously the charge of St. Paul: Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship, perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. (II Timothy 3: 2-5) If we do this, then we can say with him: I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. (II Timothy 3: 7 & 8)
GUEST POST: What Makes Our Country Special? The Rt. Rev. James St. George
As we approach the 4th of July, I wonder if we can all stop and remember what make this country so special. I didn’t say the best in all the world, as all countries have their frailties and flaws. For me, personally, yes, this is the greatest country., but I also recognize that for others they have their own opinion – I respect them for that. So, maybe we can all use social media for what it does best – bring us closer together no matter the miles between us; reunite long lost friendships and family; use it for good, rather than divisive rhetoric, at least for one day?
Instead of posting hate speech or rude comments, let us recognize that this country was built on honoring each other and our differences; why not just say, “I disagree with you, but I respect your opinion” and move on?
Instead of making fun of and promoting hatred of immigrants and aliens, look at our family tree and give thanks that no one stopped our great grandfather when he fled here and could only speak Italian, etc.
Instead of posting photos that make fun of others, or promote sexism, misogyny, homophobia, racism, or inequality, even with humor, let us post only those things that build up and show respect for all others. There are well over 7 billion people in this world…each has inherent rights.
Instead of posting words or images that make fun of the poor, or the mentally ill, or any in need, recognize they exist and stop stepping over them, or worse, on them, with your insensitivity.
Instead of posting rude images that banter another’s political party or ideation, why not acknowledge that our government was built on an adversarial system where each party is called to fight for their unique position, but then, equally, they are called to come together. Let us support them in their opinions, but pray for them in their coming together for the good of the whole?
Instead of calling the President a liar, or a cheat, etc., let us respect him for the position and that he chose to serve this nation. Note that he won by votes, no matter what you think of the process, and let us recognize that none of knows what it is like to deal with hard decisions the person who sits in this office are called on to make everyday. If I were called to serve again and even die for my country, I would tell The President, ‘Yes, sir/madam, I will go.” would you do anything less no matter who is in that office or what party they hail from? Then stop being mean.
Instead of being vehement in our opinions, why not honor the fact that we do not always have all the facts, or history, or wounds, and that others’ may just have more facts than us? Then, ask them ‘why’ they believe what they do for we may just learn from one another, rather than promote hatred and division.
Instead of seeing the world through ‘your lens’, why not recognize that your truth may not be my truth, or others’ truths. Love them (and me) where we are.
Finally, on this 4th of July, why not simply give thanks for all you do have instead of what you want and do not need. Why not make an effort to go to church this Sunday, and not just to a picnic? Why not say a prayer of thanksgiving for this country and her people, who stand side by side you, even in your brokenness. Stop and give thanks to those who serve in uniform and who died defending your right to be less than noble in your words, spoken and even posted here, then turn a page and look for ways of making this nation even greater by showing your love.
I wish you all a blessed holiday.
No Explanation Necessary~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf
“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But Thomas said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them, and said ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put you finger there. See my hands. Reach out and put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God.’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen me and yet believe.'” ( John 20:24-29 )
We have all heard the phrase, “a Doubting Thomas.” Rooted in the scripture above, it tends to come from the scientific and critical aspect of our culture. We have science to prove or disprove claims. We require evidence to make things a certainty. After all it is said, “seeing is believing.” ut in this day and age, can a faith in Jesus Christ and his deeds from oh so long ago- be rational? We have our holy scriptures and our teachings, but is this something we can hold up to the ‘litmus test’ of debate against a skeptic? A cynic? Someone who; by disaster, tragedy or death of a loved one, demands further proof from us of a loving and compassionate God? We must admit, there are days when even we ourselves, can become a “Doubting Thomas”.
First, it is important to remember Christianity is built upon faith. “For faith is confidence in what we hope for and an assurance about what we do not see.” ( Hebrews 11:1 ) The First Chapter of the Book of Hebrews goes on to serve up as evidence, all those who have lived by faith… Moses, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah… the list goes on and on. For if we are Christians, we truly do, “…walk by faith, not by sight.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:7 ) Life is full of uncertainty. The key is, to surrender ourselves to our faith.
“For to have faith, we must also have doubt. We must become like Thomas…” – Thomas Merton. Merton (b.1915-d1968) was a mystic and social activist, as well as a Cistercian Trappist monk. He wrote more than seventy books on spirituality, including his autobiography – The Seven Story Mountain, a New York Times best seller. From it, he writes, “Faith means having doubt, not the suppression of doubt. The only way to fully overcome you doubt is to live through it. Someone who says they have no doubt, cannot be a person of faith.” Merton agreed with Saint Paul, “To have faith, is a gift from God.” ( ref. Ephesians 28 ) And even centuries earlier, Saint Augustine agreed, “Doubt is but an element of faith.”
In his book, Threshold of Hope, Saint John Paul II wrote; “We must be allowed to have doubt. To search for God and truth on our own terms. To do this is nothing but a manifestation of the grace of the Holy Spirit at work. Questioning God, reveals your faith in him.”
It seems paradoxical; for clerics, religious, or even firm Christians to admit they have doubt. To question faith, even to dare and question God, seems like an insurmountable offense. It can be frightening. Perhaps a sign of weakness or sinful spirit; vulnerable to temptation and even rebellion. But people, good people of faith, facing critical circumstances, terminal illness or unexpected loss, wrestle with these emotions and ‘doubts’ all the time. And they need not be life-altering; even slight bump in the road can cause many of us to question. Just like Thomas. Mother Teresa often wrote of “dark periods of spiritual desolation; questioning whether God cared, loved or even existed at all.”
So when all is said and done, when all is really questioned and considered, we do end up sometimes being Thomas. It is then however, that we must surrender ourselves to our faith. For it is our faith upon which we build everything else. It is on our faith that we fix upon our most trusted and inspired promise given to us by our Lord, Jesus Christ: life everlasting.
Ahhh, I can sense the skeptics circling. Prove to me, there is a life everlasting. No need. Christ tells me so. I have faith enough to believe. In this, I can answer just like a most famous Dominican and yet another Thomas, Saint Thomas Aquinas. Considered one of the great teachers and early doctors of the Church, Saint Thomas said: “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one who has no faith, no explanation is possible.”
The Order of Preachers, Independent 
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