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27 Sep 2015 - Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

In ancient times children were sacrificed to the pagan god Moloch in an area known as the Valley of Hinnom (Ge Hinnom in Hebrew), just south of what became the city of Jerusalem. By the time of Christ, the Greek word Gehenna had become associated with an evil place of fire, stench, and rotting flesh where wormy maggots never die—yuck!—in other words, hell. Definitely not a place you’d want to visit now or anytime in the future. It reminds me of a story my friend Dan tells about driving with his family through Yellowstone National Park at night. As they drove slowly on a narrow road through the menacing glow of bubbling clay, he remembers wondering if they had wandered into hell by mistake. Similar to my own experience at the first sight of Gary, Indiana with its massive pillars of fire-spewing smokestacks and the suffocating smell of sulfur: Surely, I thought, this place is not fit for man nor beast. In Laudato Si', Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, we are offered ways to avoid creating such hell on earth. Solutions are not simple, but they start within each of us, says the Francis: Christians “realize that their responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith. . . . The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.” So to avoid the chaos of hell we must show concern and care for all creation, and, in turn, we will achieve inner peace, which, says Francis, comes with a “balanced lifestyle” and the “capacity for wonder.” Wishing all God’s creation inner and outer peace.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

Hell Creation Environment

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Exploring the word

31 Jul 2011 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

CERTAIN SCRIPTURE PASSAGES can make us feel rather foolish. Listening to the prophet today we realize we’ve all been thirsty—and yet have, at times, obstinately and self-destructively refused to “come to the water.” More often than we’d like to admit, we’ve squandered our resources on “what is not bread” and can’t hope to sustain us. “The hand of the Lord feeds us,” the psalmist insists; that doesn’t imply that you and I come to the table of plenty to be fed. Imagine being one of the 5,000 gathered before Jesus at that fateful hour by the Sea of Galilee. Your stomach is growling after a long day of teaching, and food is freely being offered around. Would you pass the basket without taking something from it? What an absurd choice that would be! Yet we do these things and some even more ridiculous. Because the banquet of God’s word is before us, full of rich fare, and we may ignore it. The sacraments are offered lavishly for our help week after week, and we may say: later. The community of faith gathers with its centuries-old deposit of faith, and we may choose to be lone rangers on the God-quest. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Paul asks. Not the deep life-crisis; not a worldly threat; not cosmic powers; and not even death. The only thing that can separate us from Christ is self-will—a thing that Paul does not mention in his list of dangers. Christ will not separate himself from us, but we can choose to separate ourselves from Christ, and it’s a relatively simple uncoupling. “The only thing that burns in hell is self-will”: So asserts the Theologia Germanica, an anonymous 16th-century document emerging from the same spiritual movement that produced the mystical theologian Meister Eckhart. Hell doesn’t have many fans these days, at least in its popular rendering as an eternal fiery torment. But when self-will pits itself against God’s will, we’re about to get burned, no matter what you care to call it. Jesus chose his Father’s will above his own and is now united by that common will for all eternity. When we separate ourselves from Christ, we’re making a far different choice. That demonstrates the remarkable autonomy of human freedom: You and I can do what even angels and principalities can’t do, what even death is unable to achieve. Jesus puts his very life in our hands, but we can refuse it. He passes the basket of plenty, but we can decline the invitation. He offers us love that’s stronger than death, but we can, if we insist, look elsewhere. 18th Sunday us from Christ is self-will—a thing that Paul does not mention in his list of dangers. Christ will not separate himself from us, but we can choose to separate ourselves from Christ, and it’s a relatively simple uncoupling. “The only thing that burns in hell is self-will”: So asserts the Theologia Germanica, an anonymous 16th-century document emerging from the same spiritual movement that produced the mystical theologian Meister Eckhart. Hell doesn’t have many fans these days, at least in its popular rendering as an eternal fiery torment. But when self-will pits itself against God’s will, we’re about to get burned, no matter what you care to call it. Jesus chose his Father’s will above his own and is now united by that common will for all eternity. When we separate ourselves from Christ, we’re making a far different choice. That demonstrates the remarkable autonomy of human freedom: You and I can do what even angels and principalities can’t do, what even death is unable to achieve. Jesus puts his very life in our hands, but we can refuse it. He passes the basket of plenty, but we can decline the invitation. He offers us love that’s stronger than death, but we can, if we insist, look elsewhere. Related scripture links A healthy approach to fear: Matt. 10:26-31; Luke 12:32; John 6:20; 1 John 4:18 Jesus on material concerns: Matt. 6:25-33; Luke 12:22-31 Our reconciliation in Christ: Eph. 2:14-18; Col. 1:19-20 Time cannot separate us: Heb. 13:8 Jesus is the power above other powers: Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 1:16-18 Sufficiency: John 4:13-14, 6:35, 8:12, 11:25; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:19 Catechism links No charge for grace: CCC 2121 Eucharist: CCC 1322-1336, 1397

Authors Alice Camille

Bread separate from christ paul Hell meister eckhart self-will God's will

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Vatican decries abortion-ban repeal

01 Feb 2009 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Saint Paul's wish for the Corinthians is that they be free of anxiety. President Obama may have wished for the same as he quietly ended the ban this past Friday on federal funding for international groups that perform or provide information about abortions. Vatican officials, however, reacted quickly. Last Sunday's edition of L'Osservatore Romano featured a front-page headline describing Obama's decision as "very disappointing. That same day, a top Vatican official lashed out at the new U.S. President. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, told the newspaper that the repeal of the abortion-funding ban was done with the "arrogance of those who, having power, think they can decide between life and death. . . . What happens in the U.S. influences other parts of the world. . . . [Its leaders] must be capable of listening, having humility, and maybe even asking others for help." President Ronald Reagan established the ban in 1984, and it has been overturned and reinstated each time the White House changes parties. * An article by Jeff Israely for Time.

barack obama pontifical academy for life archbishop rino fisichella losservatore romano abortion funding
Unsettling news for Mideast peace talks

13 Sep 2009 - Preaching the News for Sunday

We hear in the reading from the Letter of James this Sunday that faith without works is dead. Those who had faith in fledging Israeli-Palestinian negotiations said Israel's decision this week to approve construction of hundreds of new housing units in the occupied West Bank could strike a death blow to the peace process. Israel officially approved construction of more than 450 new homes in the occupied West Bank, the first new government-approved construction project in the West Bank since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to power in March. The issue is expected to be discussed when Netanyahu's aides meet U.S. special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell later this week. But today's announcement can only complicate a possible resumption of meaningful peace talks with the Palestinians. A senior Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said Israel's decision further undermined its credibility as a partner for peace. "Israel's decision to approve the construction nullifies any effect that a settlement freeze, when and if announced, will have," Erekat said. Close to 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem. Some 2,500 housing units are currently under construction. The settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes that characterization. Source: Articles by BBC News

israel peace talks saeb erekat george mitchell settlements peace negotiations west bank benjamin netanyahu palestinians east jerusalem
Their kind of town

04 Oct 2009 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The Letter to the Hebrews this Sunday speaks of the bringing of many to glory. Ending months of speculation, President Barack Obama travels to Copenhagen, Denmark Thursday night in the hope that his presence will help bring glory to his adopted hometown of Chicago. The city is among the finalists to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The president will join First Lady Michelle Obama, a Chicago native, who arrived in Copenhagen Wednesday to lend her support to Chicago's bid. The International Olympic Committee will announce its decision Friday. The First Lady drew laughs with her comment regarding their joint presentation: "We're not going to sing together or anything. . . . All I have are my stories, my experiences as a Chicagoan, as an American, as someone who believes deeply that health and fitness have got to play a greater role in the lives of our kids and our communities, and as someone who believes that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the best way to bring that message home." House Minority Leader John Boehner, however, won't be in the cheering section Friday. "Listen, I think it's a great idea to promote Chicago but he's the president of the United States, not the mayor of Chicago," Boehner said Wednesday. "And the problems we have here at home affect all Americans and that's where his attention ought to be." "You're darned if you do, you're darned if you don't. I'd rather be on the side of doing it," Michelle Obama told reporters, referring to her husband's Olympics decision. "One conversation or one example or illustration that connects could make a difference, and our view is we're not taking a chance." Source: Articles by Peter Slevin for the Washington Post, Jake Sherman for Politico, and Nancy Armour for Associated Press

barack obama chicago copenhagen olympics 2016 summer olympics michelle obama international olympic committee john boehner
Chile’s new president faces chilly opposition

24 Jan 2010 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Saint Paul’s message to the church at Corinth is to unite just as the many parts of a body come together to form one. Conservative billionaire and now President-Elect of Chile Sebastian Pinera faces the challenge of uniting a country that is divided ideologically. His election Sunday ends two decades of Center-Left rule and returns to power the political parties that supported Augusto Pinochet’s 1973-1990 dictatorship. Many Chileans, however, interpret Pinera’s victory as a signal the country has moved beyond Pinochet’s brutal legacy and also is ready to see off those who have ruled ever since. “I think the country deserves a change. The same people have governed for a long time,” said 18-year-old nursing student Joanna Garcia, waving a flag outside Pinera’s campaign headquarters Sunday. Pinera has vowed to overhaul Chile’s business climate to boost efficiency and promises to create a million jobs and encourage economic growth. Critics say Pinera’s plan depends too heavily on the private sector. He might also struggle to push reforms through a divided Chilean congress. “We will form a government of national unity which will build bridges of understanding and knock down walls of division,” Pinera said after his victory, offering an olive branch to what could be tough opposition from a fractured Left. His vast wealth could also complicate matters for Chilean diplomats. For example, Pinera’s investments include a large share of LAN, Chile’s main airline, which has sizable operations in Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina that are subject to those governments’ regulations. While Pinera has promised to sell off his LAN shares before taking office in March, he wants to keep control of Chile’s leading television channel and most popular soccer team, both of which have dealings with other countries. And while Pinera put more than $500 million in Chilean investments into trusts last year, he reportedly has many other holdings outside Chile. Current president Michelle Bachelet, who was constitutionally barred from running for reelection, leaves office in March. She has garnered high approval ratings for steering the country through the global economic downturn and promoting progressive social reforms. Source: Articles by Alonso Soto and Simon Gardner for Reuters, Michael Warren for Associated Press, CNN, and Investor’s Business Daily

chile sebastian pinera augusto pinochet lan michelle bachelet

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