The Sower and the Seeds

I should start by saying that this is not from today's reading, just something I've been sort of mulling over. We're getting into talking about some parables in my theology 9 class.
One that we're focusing on is the Parable of the Sower. It follows the Sower, or a farmer who seems to be traveling with seeds, going to plant them.
There are four "options" for how the seeds grow.
The first falls on the path, completely in the wrong spot. Seeds on a path, no hope. Before they are trampled by a passerby, they are eaten by birds.
The second bunch falls on rocky ground. The seedlings sprung up immediately, but when the sun shown bright they were scorched for lack of roots.
The third falls on soil, but grows among thorns. When the seedlings here grow up, they are strangled by the thorns and die.
Finally, some seed falls on rich soil and grows 30, 60, 100 fold. Accomplished.

Jesus then discusses the Parables with those listening, explains that they are not literal stories but more allegorical, or metaphorical. They have a deeper meaning, and those with "ears to hear" will understand. As a sort of heads up, he explains this particular parable to the crowd.

He says that the seeds and their growth are kind of like people and their lives.

The first seeds that fall on the path, are like those that hear the word of God without understanding it at all. It has no effect, and it is stolen away by evil before it ever reaches their heart. To me this is like those that are not open to the word of God; it never had a chance.
The second bunch on the rocky path at least is open. They hear the word of God and receive it with joy. However, when trial or tribulation comes (the scorching sun), they wither for lack of roots. Their faith was not founded, it was just an emotion. I think of this as the people who come to a church, love what they hear, but then walk out and nothing is different. Living the word of God is easier said then done.
The third group that is choked by thorns is like those that are overcome by the world. They try to live the faith, but the world gets the best of them. Be it a pursuit of money, fame, or fortune - something steals their joy. They gave it a shot, but could not withstand.
The final seedlings, grown in rich soil are the success stories. Their lives bear fruit. I think what is worth mentioning here is that they were planted in rich soil. They had the advantage from the start. Be it self-made rich soil, or something done for them - they were ready. I think of the advantage of growing up in a faithful family, having a welcoming church community, or having the blessing of a Catholic education. You are set up for success, yes - but you still have to work for it. Blessed are those have all this and take advantage of it.

The group that hits home with me right now is the seed sown on rocky path, that withers for lack of roots. This is what has been weighing heavily on my heart as of late. Relating to Stoughton Lifeteen, and sort of reflecting on what we need to do better (among other things) ...I don't think teens are understand the value and importance of the mass. Something is happening with our retention ability. They are like seedlings, who shoot up, but then wither. Our kids come to things like LIFT, or Steubenville, or even an occasional mass or life night - but when in the real world, they wither for lack of roots. A vulgar facebook status, the knowledge of another instance of teenage drinking, a shallow relationship that led to sex, or even a Sunday spent with no thought of attending mass - something is not clicking.

The word of God sounds good, but it doesn't stick.

To me, the mass is the key to all of this. To be honest, I don't care if we see a kid at countless life nights, or they attend retreats, as long as I know they are going to mass. But that simply isn't happening. Some kids we consider "regulars" are not even "regular" mass attendees. Something has to give, or I fear our program withers for lack of roots. We need to bring it back to the basics, the sacraments - and a love of teens that gets them there. I think my challenge to teens in the future who are struggling with their faith will be to just attend mass. Give God an hour a week, and see where he takes it. Sure worked for me.

To be continued...

Come home.

REFLECTION - Eucharist - Catholics Come Home

Been a Eucharist filled couple of days, I guess. Eucharistic adoration last night at LIFT, followed by daily mass this morning at St. John’s.

In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “For whoever is not against us is for us.” The pastor of St. John’s talked about parochial belief and how we all tend to be rather exclusive in our lives and in our churches. He talked about how in 2004, when the Archdiocese of Boston had to close and merge parishes, many were hurt and confused. He spoke on how the Catholic Church really stretches farther across the globe than any other organization (better than the U.N., etc), how we need to recognize and respect our brothers in sisters in Christ (whether they are fellow Catholics in different parishes, or even fellow Christians in different churches), and how we are all called to avoid bigotry and live respect.

Well, now its 2011. This Lent launches the Catholics Come Home campaign in the Archdiocese of Boston. And so, I say to all the Catholics who have fallen away from the Church,

“Come home.”

Jesus, is calling YOU home. Jesus desires to be with you. Particularly, Jesus, present in the Eucharist, tells you to return, to come home. The forgiveness of our Lord is far, FAR greater than any degree of sin or separation. You have never done, and will never do anything to sinful for the Father to forgive. He is greater than any sin, any mistake, and any concern you may have with the teachings of the Catholic Church. We must never think we are too sinful, too “bad,” that we don’t belong or will not be welcome in a Church. It is not so. Jesus has won! He is victorious over sin and death! Your sinfulness pales in comparison to the love and glory of the Father. He overshadows all evil, all of our evil.

Come home, come home, come home.

Come and find rest in the arms of the Father. Come and find a peace you have never imagined. I have found my peace - the peace of Christ. Regardless of any problem, I know and trust that I can run into the arms of my Father and find comfort and peace. No problem too great, no situation too stressful. Jesus has defeated it, God will hold you through it, He will be your strength. People will fail you, money may run out, and our world is certainly broken - but God is greater. He is perfect. He is strength for those who call upon Him and for those who simply fall into His arms when they have spent all their energy and emotion.

Come back to the Church, but far more importantly - come back to God. His arms are open wide, ready to pour forth forgiveness. He is overflowing in mercy. Take one step towards Him and he will walk a mile to you.

Let God love you with a love far greater and far more powerful than one you could ever dream of.

transfiguration, realization.

Saturday 2/19's mass readings;

Hebrews 11:1-7

Psalm 145: 2-5, 10-11

Mark 9:2-13

First off, I love this reading from Hebrews. This is one of the first readings that when I really started reading the Bible (at a Bible study, freshman year at BC, when the only Bible I had to really read from was a study Bible for class), I was able to remember.

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things unseen.

A perfect definition of faith. We will realize what we have hoped for. We must hope for heaven! And not only just hope - we must confidently hope for eternal life in heaven! Aside from beautiful hope, faith is also evidence of things unseen. We often cannot see the mysterious, Godly, things that go on around us. That being said, we cannot doubt that they are happening - for we see their fruits. I spend hours each week trying to plant seeds of faith in middle school and high school aged youth. I often cannot see the faith that is taking root in their hearts, but I cannot doubt that it is. (Which reminds me of Archbishop Oscar Romero's great prayer - "Prophets of a Future Not Our Own.)

Next - the Gospel reading. The Transfiguration. Let it be said, I never really understood the point of this. Yes, Jesus shines in blinding white. Yes, it proves His divinity. Clearly He is holy, glorious, almighty, and just amazing. But I already knew that, right?

When I went to mass on Saturday morning (at St. John's in Canton, MA - who's pastor does a WONDERFUL job of explaining the readings and their significance), I finally understood at least a little more. This event comes (2 days) after the Gospel when Jesus asks, "Who do people say that I am?" and Peter responds correctly, "You are the Christ." But, then when Jesus explains what must happen to him, Peter says that he will never let that happen. Jesus responds, "Get behind me, Satan." The disciples STILL didn't understand who He was. Yes, he was the Christ and would save His people, but they didn't fully understand from what.

To try and make them understand, he reveals His true divinity. He is transfigured. He reveals His glory. Hopefully now they will understand and believe when He is resurrected.

How often do we see Jesus' glory and not recognize it? Let us SEE and BELIEVE. When we see the glory of Christ in our daily lives - in our ministries, in our families, through our friends - we have so many opportunities to see Christ moving and working in our lives. How often do we see, recognize how amazing it is, and then go on unchanged.

Lord, give us eyes of faith. Help us to see Your glory.

less than perfect, more than flesh and bone

I'm super behind on where I should be with the daily readings, so it's likely I won't comment on all the days.

But I had to write about one of my favorite verses in the Old Testament. From today's first reading:

“This one, at last, is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called ‘woman,’
for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”

I went to a Theology of the Body workshop in the early Fall, and one of the breakout session coordinators talked a little about this phrase. She really made me see the absolute beauty in this passage. First of all - TOB is a beautiful topic, based on a series of speeches by (soon to be BLESSED!) Pope John Paul II. It paints human sexuality in the beautiful light it was intended to be seen in.

This phrase comes after Adam sees his true mate for the first time. Imagine the relief, after being created in solitude, having a line of animals paraded by him - of course, none of them right for him - he find the perfect mate. Designed from the very moment of her creation, perfect for her mate. Imagine the feeling. Imagine the sigh of relief and delight. "At last, this one is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh." She is mine. And not territorially, his. But perfectly equal and forever to be loved.

And people say the creation story is "outdated" and "useless"...this moment is so easily missed if you are not careful. What beauty you'd overlook!

We're less than perfect, more than flesh and bone.

daily readings Feb. 9th, 2011 (I guess I'm a day behind!)

Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17

Psalm 104:1-2, 27-30

Mark 7:14-23

Starting with the first reading...

"the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,
and so man became a living being."

SO beautiful. At the very beginning of our existence, God breathes into us. He breathes into us His spirit, His life, His holiness. We are not simply flesh and bone, but contain within us the very breath of God! The Holy Spirit dwells within us, raising us above the rest of creation. God does not breathe into plants, he does not breathe into any sort of animal - only into humans. We are set apart.

We must first recognize our own holiness, and act in a way that reflects that - both inwardly and outwardly. We must treat ourselves in a manner worthy of our creation, and must live our lives in a way that reflects God's spirit within us. Not a task to take lightly. When you recognize yourself as set apart, you reflect on what goes into your body, and what you do to uphold your dignity. BUT - like Jesus declares in the Gospel, it is not just what goes into our bodies that have the opportunity to defile us, but what comes from within.

Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.

We must be on guard against what comes from within us as well.

From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.

These things that come from within DO NOT reflect the holiness of God that has been breathed into us. We must not allow these tendencies to overpower our holiness. Be on guard! Do not let sin win over your heart. Seek God, seek goodness - call upon the Holy Spirit to help you to live a life of dignity and holiness!

You have to start with yourself. You can do nothing to help others if you yourself are not on track with God. You can try, and it might work at first, but you'll burn out. You need to be sustained by an inner holiness and peace only possible with God. THEN you can work for the dignity of others! You cannot give what you do not have.

That being said, once you are striving to live up to the dignity and holiness of your own creation, you have a responsibility to help others live up to theirs! We live in a negative and parasitic world. The evils of our society can and will bring us down - if we allow them to. That's why are created to live in community and help our brothers and sisters in Christ. Bring others to the Father. Help others to recognize how wonderfully they were made and loved into existence by the Father. Love those around you.

Just as you were set apart at your creation - so was your neighbor. Uphold their dignity, and you are more fully upholding your own.

Praise God for His creation. And praise God for loving humanity so immensely.

Lord, You have my heart.

Feb. 8, 2011

Daily Readings

Genesis 1:20-2:4a

Psalm 8: 4-9

Mark 7:1-13

Really quick update, while I actually have access to wireless internet. (Merci, starbucks.)

Just want to reflect a little on the Gospel, in Mark. The Pharisees question Jesus about his disciples and how they do not follow Jewish cleaning rituals (unwashed hands, more or less). They ask him why they do not follow the tradition of the elders. He responds,

"Well did Isaiah prophecy about you hypocrites, as it is written

'This people honors me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me

In vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines human precepts.'

You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition."

Whoa. Jesus just straight up called them out.

First of all - how many of us (myself included) when hearing this reading think of someone else they know that this applies to. "I know someone who talks a big game, but I doubt their heart." I did this when I was rereading the Gospel. Shame on me to judge another before looking interiorly. There are, for sure, others who this applies to - but when has this Gospel applied to myself? When do I pay God lip service, when my heart is not really in it? Do I try to impress with my words but do not give fully with my heart? Words can inspire, but hearts change lives.

God desires our whole hearts, not merely us telling Him that he has our hearts. You must follow up your (hopefully) sincere words with action and a change in lifestyle. If you say you are a Christian, and say that you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength - do it. No turning back.

Another point to comment on. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for clinging to human tradition but failing to follow God's commands. So dangerous for us still. We put our human wants and desires and silly traditions (ahem, superbowl) before our Father, God. It hurts my heart to think of the 1000's who were more excited to watch a game on a television this past Sunday than to receive the fullness of God's love in Holy Communion. It hurts, also, to think of the times when I have wanted to be anywhere but Mass.

Father, give me a greater desire of Yourself and Your kingdom. Help me to give You my whole heart. No holding back.

"God spoke earth into existence, no autotune" - Lecrae

Daily Readings Feb 7, 2011

Genesis 1:1-19

Psalm 104: 1-2a, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24, and 35

Mark 6:53-56

This year I taught Creation for the first time, to my 6th graders, which gave me an entirely new perspective on the story. I shouldn’t be surprised since you always seem to learn things better and get an entirely new understanding when you are the one teaching instead of learning.

I also had a conversation with a friend who is taking a class where they discussed the absolute awe that comes with our creator God. He spoke about how the teacher was discussing creation, how God created something out of nothing, and how that is often overlooked. We are so used to learning how to make things out of other things, that we take this for granted. (Think back to biology or science class - matter can neither be created nor destroyed, it just changes forms...)

“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland.”

There was NOTHING, and God made SOMETHING.

Think about that for a second. Look at the air in front of you and then imagine something appearing, out of absolutely no where. Impossible, right? Not for God. Not only did he form Adam from clay, but he created out of nothing. God took the absence of everything and created the heavens and earth. It’s hard to wrap our heads around this fact. God spoke, and things were. “He manufactured light and darkness with His conversation.” (from “God” by Christian rapper - Pro)

It’s absolutely amazing. God is so glorious.

The other thing I find so beautiful in this Creation story is that God creates and then sees that His creation is good. God didn’t create the earth, or water, or us and say, “Eh, it looks decent.” No, he said that is was good. As a teacher, I usually use the word “good” to describe a student that has done well, but is capable of doing better. When God says “good,” it’s different.

“Then God said, ‘Let there light,” and there was light. God saw how good the light was.”

Don’t underrate the word “good.” Good is a lack of evil, good is life-giving, good works for the benefit of all. What God creates is good. The earth is good, the sea and sky are good, we are good.

Amen.

We need to live up to the reality of our creation.