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Sign & sacrament

19 Aug 2012 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Some might know that “eating the body of Christ” at the Lord’s Supper is best understood as a symbol of the Lord’s love and presence among us. But that’s not enough. The genteel young Southern fiction writer Flannery O’Connor must have shocked her companions when in conversation about the Eucharist, she once objected, “Well, if it’s a symbol, to hell with it.” In one of her letters, she wrote that the Eucharist “is the center of existence for me; all the rest of life is expendable.” The meaning of the Eucharist resists taming; it refuses to be reduced to a mere anything. Another American writer, poet William Carlos Williams, maintained that in a poem there are “no ideas except in things.” The Eucharist is not an abstract idea. It is an experience of mystery that will always be more than our struggle to articulate it. It is a “more” that is always shocking.

Eucharist Flannery O’Connor William Carlos Williams body of christ

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The inner word

05 Aug 2012 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

The Israelites “grumbled” many times during their sojourn through the desert to the land God had promised them. In many cases God’s reaction was anger at the people’s failure to trust in God’s guidance, despite the circumstances. In this week’s reading, however, God’s ultimate response was an act of care: sending them the “flesh” and “bread” they desired. Complaints against God are not in themselves a sin; they figure in scripture on many occasions. It’s what they lead to that’s important. Doubt can lead to belief; even questioning shows you value in a relationship. Don’t be afraid to bring your uncertainties to God. You just might be opening a door to greater faith.

promised land Bread israelites

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Sign & sacrament

27 May 2012 - Solemnity of Pentecost, Cycle B

The first time an English speaker hears Mass in Spanish can be striking, particularly when familiar responses are presented in a new light. For example “And also with you” becomes “Y con tu Espiritu” (“And with your Spirit”). That opens things up—not only about how to understand this part of the liturgy but also how to understand our brothers and sisters. How amazing it is to consider that indeed the Holy Spirit is with each one of us. And not only at Mass or when we are doing “religious” things or with people we like. What would the world be like if we truly recognized the Spirit within ourselves and within one another?

Holy Spirit languages

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Who's listening?

24 Jul 2011 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

On what do people put value? The readings today speak to this question. God praises Solomon for seeing how longevity, riches, property, and revenge are so much less important than the gift of understanding to know what is right. The gospel parables tell of people who sold their possessions to gain what was of greater value. And Saint Paul also says something about value: the need to trust that God's plan of salvation will carry all who believe to their predestined glory. For those who believe, the gains and losses, goods and evils of everyday life pale in comparison with a deeper life lived in the kingdom, wisely and well.

solomon value god's plan Salvation

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Homily stories

17 Jul 2011 - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Perhaps Jesus told the parable of the weeds and wheat because he was also worried about weeding too soon. That is, people can have the tendency to rush to judgment about the worth of others. There are countless people, late bloomers, who would not have made the grade in their profession or field if the decision to eliminate them had come too soon. After all, Michael Jordan was cut from his high-school basketball team. Thomas Aquinas was thought to have been too slow-witted to be a scholar. And Blessed Solanus Casey, whose fame as a spiritual guide became known worldwide, almost didn't make it through his first months of seminary. In the spiritual realm, especially, it may be difficult to determine which are the weeds and which are the wheat.

weeds wheat michael jordan thomas aquinas solanus casey judgment

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The inner word

03 Jul 2011 - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Are you getting enough rest in your life? Ask yourself the following: Do I get sufficient physical rest? That includes finding the right balance of exercise and sleep, invigorating activity as well as restful, rejuvenating times. Do I enjoy enough emotional rest? Ministry is stressful and emotionally demanding. Do I plan enough down time, as well as time with family, friends, and colleagues who let me relax and be myself so I can recharge my emotional batteries? How about spiritual rest? Am I spiritually antsy, suffering from a kind of spiritual insomnia? Or am I able to "rest in God"? In my prayer life, do I turn to God for consolation and strength? Am I able to quiet down the 10,000 voices inside and hear the "still small voice" of God?

Rest balance consolation strength

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Who's listening?

12 Jun 2011 - Solemnity of Pentecost, Cycle A

None of us speaks the exact same language. The slightest change in tone or inflection can send out a message that will be received differently by 10 different hearers. In all our relationships at home, on the job, within the community, we try to make ourselves understood, but somebody always takes something we've said the wrong way. At those times it's best to listen. The art of communication requires both giving and receiving. Giving of ourselves and receiving others is also the key to establishing peace. Let us offer one another a sign of peace today by listening as well as talking to those around us.

Peace language message

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Exploring the word

22 May 2011 - Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A

MOVING INTO A new situation can seem like heaven—at first. Whether it’s the first day of school, a new job, new digs, or a new haircut, each facet of change feels fresh and clear of all the old obstacles. This time we’ll get it right. We’ll stay on top of the assignments, make the right friends, get organized, and stay that way. It will all be grand. Starting from the beginning again, there’s a chance to do better. Worn foundations may have a few warped boards, if not fundamental cracks. Some old things evoke nostalgia but others are simply decrepit. Wisdom dictates, at times, a fresh start as the only course of action. The biblical God likes to make things new, according to prophecy. The divine plan is full of fresh starts, things torn down so that new things can rise up, fields cleared to be replanted. What gets cleared may be an individual leader, a plot of ground, or an entire nation. Sometimes it’s the slate upon which the past is scrawled that needs to be wiped clean. When God plans a new spiritual household, as in the writings of Saint Peter, the new will be built on the best of the old. A host of earlier scripture passages are thoughtfully transplanted to prepare the foundation: the cornerstone from Isaiah 28; the rejected stone from Psalm 118; a stumbling block (Isaiah 8); the chosen race (Isaiah 43); a royal priesthood (Exodus 19); and a holy nation (Deuteronomy 7) which is God’s own (Malachi 3)—all brought together to substantiate that this new house is not a repudiation of the old but a vital restoration and extension. When Jesus offers his friends a place in the new household of God, it not only seems like heaven, it is. He will go on ahead to make sure that all is in order for their arrival! What could be better? Well, their reception of the idea, for one thing. Thomas complains he doesn’t know how to get there—even though Jesus just said he’d come back to lead the way personally. Philip is suspicious, not merely of the route but of their host. That seems downright rude. Jesus must be used to that by now. He casts out demons, and they call him a devil. He shares joyous table fellowship, and he’s labeled a glutton and drunkard. He tells the truth, and they call him a liar and blasphemer. He offers them a place in the reign of God, and they want to see God’s credentials. It might be nice for a change, when Jesus says he’s the way, the truth, and the life, that we fall in behind him, accepting that it could all be that grand. Related scripture links Let go and let God: Matt. 6:25-34 Advice for Christian leadership: Matt. 9:35-38, 10:5-10, 24-31, 20:20-28, 23:1-12 Deacons doing the work of apostles: Acts 6:8-7:60, 8:4-40 Church unity vital: John 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 12:4-26; Eph. 1-6; Rom. 12:3-8 Jesus can be seen "in a little while": John 16:16 Catechism links Chosen, royal, priestly, holy: CCC 709; 782; 901-903; 908-913; 931-933; 1141; 1268; 1546 Living stones: CCC 552; 756; 1179; 1268 Jesus is the way: CCC 459; 516; 661; 1025; 1698; 2466; 2614; 2795

Authors Alice Camille

Heaven reign of god divine plan living stones spiritual household

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A testy political climate

11 Jan 2009 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The reading from the First Letter of John this Sunday speaks to the reliability of human testimony versus the testimony of God. Testimony in various legal proceedings has played a role in political developments unfolding in Washington--including two disputed U.S. senatorial seats as well as one of President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet choices. Roland W. Burris was appointed to take over Obama's Senate seat by embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich last week. At first, Senate leaders and Obama rejected the appointment because federal prosecutors arrested Blagojevich last month and accused him of trying to sell Obama's Senate seat, among other charges. But this Wednesday Burris met with Senate Democratic leaders who reversed course and opened the door to seating him. Following a private meeting with the former Illinois state attorney general, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, and Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the no. 2 Senate Democrat, said that they were open to recognizing Burris' appointment as long as he meets a series of conditions. Praising Burris, Reid said the Senate is awaiting a court ruling in a case that tests whether the Illinois secretary of state is required to sign Burris' certification. Senate leaders say that signature is required to seat Burris; Reid suggested that securing it would be a step toward seating him. "We don't have a problem with him as an individual," Reid said at a news conference in which he dramatically softened his party's opposition to seating anyone appointed by Blagojevich. Meanwhile, Minnesota's closely contested Senate race remains unresolved, as Republican Senator Norm Coleman announced Tuesday he is filing a lawsuit challenging the results of the recount that declared Democrat Al Franken the winner."Any attempt to seat a senator who is not properly certified violates senate precedent, and usurps the will of the people of Minnesota," Coleman said. Franken was declared the winner Monday after the state's Canvassing Board concluded the recount. The challenge could extend what has already been a prolonged battle as legal action and appeals could take weeks. Franken was not among the new Democratic senators sworn in this Tuesday. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Obama's choice for commerce secretary, bowed out of the confirmation process in a surprise move on Monday. Richardson said he dropped his bid because a federal probe into his state office went on longer than expected without clearing him of wrongdoing."I had hoped that the CDR investigation would have concluded in December with a clean bill of health for my administration," Richardson told reporters at a brief news conference Monday in Santa Fe. "Since the investigation was not finished in December and, as long as the CDR investigation is ongoing, I made the decision to withdraw as the president-elect's nominee for commerce secretary rather than ask for a delay in my appointment."The FBI is investigating whether CDR, a California-based financial services company, engaged in "pay-to-play" activities after it and its CEO gave thousands of dollars to Richardson political action committees and subsequently won state contracts. Source: Articles by Andy Barr for Politico.com, Ann Sanner for the Associated Press, and Carl Hulse for the New York Times

rod blagojevich bill richardson al franken norm coleman senate harry reid richard durbin cdr minnesota illinois roland burris
A number of teens have a beef with meat

18 Jan 2009 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Saint Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians reminds readers that the body is a "temple of the Holy Spirit" in this Sunday's second reading. Apparently a growing number of teens--at least one in 20 in a recent survey--have decided that meat does not belong in the temple of their own bodies and have become vegetarian. Some attribute the rising popularity of the practice to graphic online videos on YouTube of animals being slaughtered for meat. According to a survey from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 367,000 teens, or one in 20, follow a diet that is either vegetarian or vegan. Vegetarian diets exclude meat, but the name is sometimes loosely applied. Some self-described vegetarians eat fish or poultry on occasion. Vegans cut out animal products of any kind, including eggs and dairy products. Other surveys suggest the rate could be four to six times as high among older teens who have more control over what they eat than younger teens do. Anecdotally, adolescent vegetarianism seems to be rising in part due to YouTube animal slaughter videos that shock the developing sensibilities of many U.S. children. But there isn't enough long-term data to prove that, according to government researchers. Information on children's diet habits in the CDC survey was gleaned from about 9,000 parents and other adults speaking on behalf of those under 18. "I don't think we've done a good job of counting the number of vegetarian youth, but I think this is reasonable," Amy Lanou, a nutrition scientist at the University of North Carolina-Asheville, said of the government estimate. She works with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a vegan advocacy group. Vegetarians say it's animal welfare, not health, that most often causes kids to stop eating meat. "Compassion for animals is the major, major reason," said Richard Schwartz, president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America, an organization with a newsletter mailing list of about 800. "When kids find out the things they are eating are living animals-and if they have a pet . . . ." Source: An article by Mike Stobbe for the Associated Press

Children jewish vegetarians of north america physicians committee for responsible medicine amy lanou vegan cdc centers for disease control youtube meat vegetarians teenagers richard schwartz

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