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March 4, 2013May 29, 2015

Is your Spiritual Life like a Sailboat or a Motorboat?

When I was very young, perhaps 10 years old, I took some sailing lessons, and once again when I was in my early 30s. Sailing involves a kind of romancing the wind wherein one observes the wind as it is, and then adapts to it, wooing it, learning its moves, its vicissitudes, and its often subtle and changing signs.

Oh for the great times when the wind was with us! And catching the wind, the boat would speed along making a slick sound in the water. And Oh too, for those daring and thrilling times when the spinnaker was put out. The boat would almost strain, as the proud winds filled her arcing sail.

But then too, there were the difficult days when the winds were contrary and the hard work of tacking, with beating and jibing had to be engaged.

Now sailing is an image of receptivity. One cannot control the wind, but must simply accept it, and take it as it is. Yes, sailing requires a sailor to adjust to what is, to learn acceptance and work with what is given, to live in the world as it is, rather than wish for world as it ought to be.

The sailor must simply accept wind’s bidding and blessings, the way in which it would have us go: this way and that, now shifting directions, somewhat unexpectedly. And the good sailor is accepting that a good strong breeze, can suddenly grow becalmed, only to stir again. This is especially the case in the sultry summer days when the prevailing winds are less evident and the strength and direction of the winds can be very local, and very subtle.

Yes it is all very mysterious. Indeed Jesus used the wind as an image for mystery when he said to Nicodemus, The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (Jn 3:8).

And thus the wind, and sailing, become something of an image for the soul interacting with God. We cannot control God, nor should we. Our role is to sense His direction and put out our sails accordingly. We are to “romance the wind” by growing deeper in our love and trust of God. We are to discover the serenity of accepting what is, of following the lead of God, or receiving what is offered rather than seeking to control and manipulate outcomes.

Sometimes the wind of God’s Ruah, his Spirit and breath is a strong and refreshing wind as at Pentecost when Scripture says, And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were (Acts 2:4). At other times God speaks in a whispering breeze: And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:12-13).

Yes, allow the wind to represent the movements of God’s Spirit, his Ruah, his breath. And God is looking for some good sailors who know the subtleties of the movements of the wind and can adjust accordingly.

Now since wind cannot be controlled and must simply be accepted for what it is, many therefore prefer motorboats. How much nicer it is to feel empowered from within and to be able to resolutely set our own course, no matter the wind. With a motorboat there is little or no threat of being at the whim of the winds. There is no need to relate to, or be in relationship with the wind, no need of romancing of the winds here! No here, with a motorboat, there is need only of driving forward with a powerful motor, following one’s own designs.

Here is control, here is power, here is the sailor alone with his own will, dependent on little, and on no one. It is one man against the elements.

But motorboats are a mixed blessing, they require a good bit of gas, can be noisy, require maintenance, suffer breakdowns and can be downright dangerous to other things and people around them.

And here too is another image for our soul interacting with God. For there are many who prefer to be under their own power, dependent on no one, other than themselves, preferring never having to wait on God or other human beings; just acting independently, and operating independently. They prefer not to sense the direction of the winds or of any other signs or factors.

And just like a motorboat, there are dangers associated with this sort of controlling image of the human person. For indeed such individuals can be noisy, gas-guzzlers, prone to breakdown, and potentially hazardous to things and people around them. For in their perceived power they often truck through life, missing its subtleties and frequently causing harm to themselves and others. “Breakdowns” are almost predictable with this sort of person.

Most people prefer a motorboat. But God is more in the sailboat business. He’s looking for some good souls to sense the breeze of his Spirit, is Ruah. And having sensed that Gentle Breeze, to hoist their sails and follow where the Wind, the Spirit, leads.

Yes, we are invited to be more like a sailor, following the Spirit’s lead. Yes, like a sailor, trusting and yielding to a Godly breeze.

Do you prefer a motorboat, or a sailboat? Are you a boater or a sailor.

Here is a remarkable video, not of a sailor at sea, but of a land sailor, a kite flier. Note the beautiful interaction of this man as he romances the wind, working with its subtleties and rejoicing in its moves, as in a great dance of sorts:

March 3, 2013May 29, 2015

The Earth is a Rare Jewel. A Meditation on the Glory of God in a New Discovery about our Planet

Over at Space.com there is an article that sets forth a recent discovery of a new but fleeting set of Van Allen belts around the earth. These radiation belts have a critical role in our ability to survive since they help deflect most of the more harmful rays of the sun. Without these radiation belts we would “cook” in the harmful radiation of unfiltered sunrays.

The presence of the “Van Allen Belts” are another reminder that life on this planet isn’t just the result of a few simple things. It depends on a large number of things being present so that our beautiful blue marble can sustain the vast amount of life it does. More on this in a minute. But first, Here’s a brief excerpt from the article:

A ring of radiation previously unknown to science fleetingly surrounded Earth last year…made of super-high-energy electrons embedded in the outer Van Allen belt about 11,900 to 13,900 miles above the planet’s surface. This stable ring of space radiation apparently formed on Sept. 2 and lasted for more than four weeks…..This newfound radiation belt then abruptly and almost completely disappeared on Oct. 1. It was apparently disrupted by an interplanetary shock wave caused by a spike in solar wind speeds.

[The] Van Allen radiation belts, [are] zones of magnetically trapped, highly energetic charged particles first discovered in 1958…..Unexpectedly, the probes revealed a new radiation belt surrounding Earth, ….It remains uncertain how this temporary radiation belt arose. Van Allen mission scientists suspect it was likely created by the solar wind tearing away the outer Van Allen belt. [More at Space.com]

Clearly the scientists are still studying this matter but the protective Van allen Belts are not just a static system it would seem. Rather they are a dynamic and flexible system that respond to and interact with the “solar winds” so as to provide us additional protection when necessary.

I remain stuned with awe and gratitude at the glory of God’s creation and also the fact that, it is not just a few things that come together to permit higher life to exist here. No indeed, the conditions that God maintains for us here on earth have a remarkable complexity and thereby are likely rare conditions that may not be found easily even in this vast cosmos. Let me explain.

Rare Earth?? While most people, including most scientists, presume that there may be billions of inhabitable planets out there a lot like Earth, there is another theory base (called “rare earth theory”) that is dubious of such a high number.

This is because as we have already noted, there are not just a few things that come together to support life on earth, there are many. Here are just a few:

The earth is at just the right distance from the sun so that water is warm enough to melt, but not so hot as to boil and steam away into space. Water is also able in this habitable zone to both evaporate and condense at lower levels in the atmosphere, thus permitting a more even distribution of water, and a cycle of water over dry land known as precipitation.
The earth is in a “habitable zone” in the galaxy too. Closer to the center of galaxies, radiation and the presence of wandering planetoids make life there unlikely.
Earth’s orbit is almost a perfect circle rather than an “eccentric” (i.e. steep or elongated) ellipse that some other planets have. Steep elliptical orbits take the planet relatively close and then relativly far from the sun and this is great consequences for warmth and light. But the earth has a very stable orbot that is alomost a perfect circle. This keeps our relationship with the Sun and it s heat and light, quite stable.
We have the nearby presence of two “gas giants” (Jupiter and Saturn) that attract and catch many wandering asteroids and comets and keep them form hitting the earth often.
Our molten core and volcanism generate the magnetic field mentioned above. These field or belts protect the earth from the most harmful rays of the sun.
Volcanism also has a role in helping generate our atmosphere and in cycling rich minerals widely.
Our sun is just the right kind of star, putting out a fairly steady amount of energy. Other types of stars are more variable in their output and this variance can utterly destroy life or cause it to be impossible due to the extremes caused.
The earth’s fairly rapid rotation reduces the daily variation in temperature It also makes photosynthesis viable since there is enough sunlight all over the planet.
The earth’s axis tilt relative to it orbital plane is also just right to allow seasonal variations that help complex life but not so tilted as to make the seasons too extreme.
The moon also has a good effect by causing tides that are just enough to permit tidal zones (a great breading ground for diverse life) and not too severe so as to destroy life by extreme tides.

Are you praying with me Church? The conditions for life that come together on this planet are complex, remarkable and, some argue, likely rare in the Universe. Life here is the balance of many fascinating things (and a lot more I don’t have time to mention). Just Google “Rare Earth Theory” to read more.

The recent discovery of a possible third Van Allen Belt that comes and goes only adds to the complexity and the statistical factors that measure the likelihood of lots of other “Earths” out there.

Whatever you want to make of this discovery, we cannot but be amazed at the complexity of life and the intricacies it takes for life to flourish here.

As for me and my household, we will give God all the glory and reamin in wonder and awe and the marvelous things he does! How about you?

March 1, 2013May 29, 2015

Meeting ourselves coming back. A reflection on the reaction to the reaction in our culture.

One of the things I often marvel at is that a good number of young people are more socially conservative than their parents.

I am in the last five years of the Baby Boom generation, perhaps the most selfish, immature, egotistical and rebellious generation that has ever lived in this country. The rebellion reached full flower in 1968, a terrible year not only of assassinations, but also of open sexual misconduct, the celebration of rebellion, of immature disrespect of authority and tradition, and a large percentage of people stoned out of their mind.

Now, this generation (my generation) at some point had to take a bath (after wallowing in the mud of Woodstock), take the flowers of out its hair, put on a suit and go to work. But a lot of the selfish, egotistical and iconoclastic tendencies remained with this spoiled generation as they (we) ushered in abortion on demand, no fault divorce, cohabitation, low birthrates, widespread pornography, and numerous other social ills that amount to a general shredding of the family and a coherent and functional culture.

To some degree, the next generation will react to the reaction, rebel against the rebellion. And at least to some extent I have seen it. A lot of the younger people I have met and am preparing for marriage or see at theology on tap sessions, or meet over at the seminary and in novitiate for the Order in my parish , are re-embracing the tradition their parents and grandparents so carelessly cast aside. Further, these younger people see what a disaster the lives of their parents and grandparents have been with failed marriages, addictions, STDs, and many other ills.

At some level, disgusted by what they see, they are resolved to be more careful to avoid their parents mistakes. The knee-jerk rebelliousness of the boomers seems far less evident in their grandchildren whom I find more reasonable, teachable and even hungry for the truth.

I don’t know how widespread the phenomenon I describe is, and I suspect that the overall numbers in our culture are still headed in the wrong direction. The whole gay union thing is emblematic of that. Nevertheless there is a growing core, perhaps a remnant, of younger people who are picking up the pieces of things their boomer parents shattered and reconsidering once discarded treasures.

I pray only that it will grow and that increasing numbers of younger people will simply shake their heads in dismay at the foolishness of the Boomer generation and work explicitly to restore maturity, accountability and a love for the good, true and beautiful.

The following video is a humorous illustration of how, in order to rebel against the status quo involves another rebellion that, in effect, is a shift back to the status quo ante. What this video illustrates in a small and humorous matter is what I hope will be the case in bigger matters.

March 1, 2013May 29, 2015

What is a Cardinal? The Role of the College of Cardinals in History and Today

Now that attention shifts to the College of Cardinals, it might be good to spend a brief time reflecting on what a Cardinal is and how the College of Cardinals functions. Perhaps it is good to start with a little history and then describe the present realities.

History [1]- Originally the term “cardinal” simply referred to any priest who was attached to a particular church or diocese. Even to this day we speak of diocesan priests as being “incardinated” (or attached) to a certain diocese, and this is required for every priest. There are not to be “free-ranging” priests. Later however, from about the 4th Century through the late Middle Ages the term “cardinal” came to be used only of certain more prominent priests in the larger and more prominent dioceses of antiquity such as Constantinople, Milan, Ravenna, Naples, Sens, Trier, Magdeburg, and Cologne and of course, Rome. In more recent centuries the term came only to be used of Rome.

And thus we find the term cardinal used in the Church at Rome (from at least fifth century) to designate priests permanently serving in the Roman parishes and ministries under the Bishop of Rome, the Pope— These were the “cardinal priests.” However, as the number of priests grew, not all the priests attached to these Roman parishes were known as cardinal, but only the first priest in each such parish—i.e. the Pastor or Rector.

Cardinal priests attended not only to their own ministry or parish but also convened regularly to oversee matters of Church discipline in the diocese of Rome. These might include matters of disciplining the clergy, filling vacancies and so forth. But it also involved matters pertaining to the laity insofar as they interacted with the Church. Thus the Cardinal priests assisted the Pope in the administration of the Diocese of Rome. There are some echoes of all this in every diocese through a mechanisms known as the College of Deans and College of Consultors who assist the Bishop in administrative details and matters of Church discipline.

Cardinal Deacons – During all this time just described there also existed a group known as the cardinal deacons. The Roman Diocese was divided into seven regions and a deacon was assigned to each. They performed numerous duties but chief among them was record-keeping and the coordination of the care of the poor, cemeteries and the like. Given their elevated status over a deacon who only served a parish, they came to be called cardinal deacons. These cardinal deacons would also assist the Pope liturgically whenever he was in that region of the diocese. The number of these cardinal deacons gradually rose over the years.

Cardinal Bishops – Yet again, during all this time there also emerged the cardinal bishops. As the worldwide Church grew in size, the duties of the Pope, and the administrative concerns of the Roman Church (diocese) grew. The Pope increasingly came to call on bishops of nearby dioceses (esp. Ostia and Velletri, Porto and Santa Rufina, Albano, Frascati (Tusculum), Palestrina (Præneste), and Sabina) to represent him in an official capacity and to give him counsel. In a way it was like the modern notion of a local synod.

Thus we see that the Cardinals had varying ranks and functions. They were, assistants of the pope in his liturgical functions, in the care of the poor, the administration of papal finances and possessions, and met in synod over the disposition of important matters to include Church discipline.

By the 11th Century the College of Cardinals took on more importance as they began to oversee the election of a new pope when this became necessary. They not only saw to the election but they also ran things during the interregnum. From this time on their functions and importance grew. The Pope met regularly with them in something called the “consistory,” i.e. the reunion of the cardinals and the pope. In these meetings were regularly treated doctrinal questions of faith, disciplinary matters, canonizations, approvals of rules of new orders, indulgences for the Universal Church, rules for papal elections, the calling of general councils, appointing of Apostolic legates and vicars etc. The consistory also oversaw matters concerning dioceses and bishops, creation, transfer, division, the nomination and confirmation of bishops, also their transfer, resignation, etc.

The Modern Scene – More could be said of the history but allow this to bring us to modern times [2].

Although we see historically that there are three ranks of Cardinals (bishop, priest and deacon) it is now the practice that only bishops are elevated to the College of Cardinals. Since 1962 all cardinals have been required to receive episcopal consecration unless they are granted an exemption from this obligation by the Pope. Most recently this happened with Cardinal Avery Dulles who was elevated to Cardinal but remained a priest.

Though all the Cardinals are now bishops, the traditional distinctions are maintained. The title of “Cardinal Bishop” only means that he holds the title of one of the “suburbicarian” (nearby dioceses of Rome listed above) or that he is the Dean of the College of Cardinals — or that he is a patriarch of an Eastern Catholic Church. Cardinal priests are the largest of the three orders of cardinals. Cardinal priests today are generally bishops of important dioceses throughout the world, though some hold offices in the Curia. The cardinal deacons are either officials of the Roman Curia or priests elevated after their eightieth birthday (such as Cardinal Dulles was).

As for the functions of the College of Cardinals, we have already seen much of this in the history above. In modern times the function of the college is to advise the Pope about Church issues whenever he summons them to an ordinary consistory. The cardinals not only attend the meetings of the College but also make themselves available individually or with small panels of cardinals if the Pope requests their counsel in this way . Most cardinals have additional duties, such as leading a diocese or archdiocese. Others run a department of the Roman Curia.

The College of Cardinals also convenes on the death or abdication of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor. The college has no ruling power except during the sede vacante (vacant see) period, and even then its powers are extremely limited.

Those who attain to this office have proven their worth as stable and wise counselors, good bishops of the Church. May our Cardinals experience many graces and blessings in their work of electing a new Pope, likely from among their own number.

February 28, 2013May 29, 2015

What is a Cardinal? A Basic Review of the College of Cardinals in History and Today.

The Modern Scene – More could be said of the history but allow this to bring us to modern times [2].

February 28, 2013May 29, 2015

Yes, Modern Christian, there is a Wrath of God, and we must be saved by Him from it.

In one of the Lenten weekday readings (Wednesday the second week), the prophet Jeremiah says, Remember that I stood before you Oh Lord, to speak on their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them (Jer 18:20).

Jeremiah’s utterance also calls to mind the saying of Pope Gregory The Great who said, Anyone ordained a priest undertakes the task of preaching, that with a loud cry he may go on ahead of the terrible Judge who follows. (Pastoral Guide, Book 2:4).

Now statements like these have to be considered carefully. Descriptions of the wrath of God, and fearsome images of judgment, should not be taken as descriptions of a grouchy God or of a moody and irritable Jesus. Rather, the wrath of God describes the intrinsic conflict between God’s utter holiness and sin.

Consider for example that fire and water do not mix. They cannot be in the same place at the same time. The conflict between them is audible when, for example, we spill water on a hot stove top. We hear the hissing and popping. And this is wrath, this is the conflict.

For water and fire will not coexist in the same spot for long; one will displace the other. If there is a lot of water, and a little fire, out goes the fire. If there is but a little water and a lot of fire, the water immediately turns to steam and is blown away.

And this is how it is with God’s holiness in the presence of sin and injustice. There is a conflict that the Scriptures call wrath. Sin and injustice cannot endure the presence of God, and if they are in us, neither can we adore the presence of God.

It is necessary therefore that we be rendered holy prior to coming into the presence of God. Scripture says, in the book of Hebrews, that we are to strive for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14). Of heaven, the book of Revelation says Nothing impure will ever enter it (Rev 21:27)

Now we live in times that tend to brush all of this teaching aside. Most moderns give little thought to their appointment with destiny, or their appearance before the judgment seat of Christ. Most simply think they can walk blithely into the presence of God. Not only is our sense of sin diminished, but even more so, our sense of God’s utter holiness is diminished.

Nevertheless, despite our modern conceptions, Scripture says over, and over, and over again that judgment is something to be taken very seriously and that many will be unable to enter the presence of God (eg. Luke 13:24, inter al).

In the end, it is only the Lord himself they can prepare us for the fateful day of our judgment. Scripture says that Jesus rescues us from the coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The Letter to the Romans also says, we [shall] be safe from God’s wrath through him (Romans 5:9).

Yes, it is only the Lord who can save us and prepare us for judgement so as to avoid The wrath, which is the conflict between sin and God’s utter holiness.

But surely this means that we must be very serious then about prayer, receiving of the sacraments, growing in faith, and holiness by his grace, and staying within the saving ark which is the Church.

And while remains true that only God can save us, and is rich in mercy, it is also true as Augustine says, that he who made us without us will not save us without us (cf Sermon 169.13). Our cooperation and permission (by his grace) with his saving work is an essential aspect of being ready for the coming day of judgment.

Tragically, as the Lord warns, many refuse the pleas of God the Holy Spirit and harden their hearts. Remaining in repeated in unrepentant sin has, it would seem, a cumulative effect, and, as the Lord Jesus says the Day closes in like on them like a trap (Luke 21:34).

Given our propensity to procrastinate, and be presumptuous, especially in these modern days, we need to allow texts like the to increase our sobriety. God is clear, the Day of Judgment is something to be very sober and serious about.

We rightly trust in God’s mercy But we cannot simply neglect the responsibility that comes with freedom; a freedom in which God has constituted us so that we may love and freely choose him. We need to recover the understanding that our choice becomes cumulative over time.

We also need to better grasp that our judgment consists in a recognition by God of the choices we have made, it is a kind of respectful acknowledgment by God of what we have chosen. In this sense Judgement is more about our final choice, than simply a choice God makes to save or condemn.

Pray God that our choice is yes to God, and that we do not harden our hearts.

And even for those who die in friendship with God, it seems clear that for most of us, some finishing work is required in order that we enter into the full presence of God. For here too, we must remember that God is utterly holy and that nothing impure is able to endure His glorious presence for long.

Thus, God in his mercy, burns away our imperfections with a lesser fire, lest we endure the unmitigated fire of his utter Holiness, for again, the Scripture says, our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29).

Perhaps in this context, we do well to speculate that though Hell is hot, Heaven is hotter. For our God is a burning furnace of charity, a refining fire, an intensity of love. As Jesus one said, I have come to cast a fire on earth, and how I wish the blaze were already ignited! (Luke 12:49)

So, we must be ready to enter a glorious fire by already being on fire ourselves. It is no accident that the Lord kindled a fire by sending tongues of fire upon the early apostles, and upon all of us at our Confirmation. The only way to enter God’s fire is to already be fire ourselves, by his grace.

Yes fellow Christians there is a wrath. It is not a wrath as we commonly understand the term, but it is nevertheless something for which we must be ready. Let the Lord set you on fire with his love, to get you ready!

February 23, 2013May 29, 2015

Every Round Goes, Higher, Higher. A Meditation on the Gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Lent

The second Sunday of Lent always features the transfiguration. This is done in the first place because we are following the Lord on his final journey to Jerusalem and this journey up Mt Tabor was one of the stops Jesus himself made with Peter, James and John. It is commonly held that Jesus did this to prepare his apostles for the difficult days ahead. There’s a line from an old spiritual which says, Sometimes I up, sometimes I’m down, sometimes I’m almost on the ground…..but see what the end shall be. And this is what the Lord is doing here: he is showing us what the end shall be. There is a cross to get through, but there is glory on the other side.

There also seems a purpose in placing this account here in that it helps describe the pattern of the Christian life which is the paschal mystery. For we are always dying and rising with Christ in repeated cycles as we journey to an eternal Easter (cf 2 Cor4:10). This Gospel shows forth the pattern of the cross, in the climb, and rising, in the glory of the mountaintop. Then it is back down the mountain again, only to climb another mountain, (Golgotha) and through it find another glory (Easter Sunday). Here is the pattern of the Christian life: the paschal mystery. Let’s look a little closer at the Gospel in three stages.

I. The Purpose of Trials. The text says – Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.. Now we often pass over this fact, that they had to climb that mountain. And the climb was no easy task. Any one who has been to the sight of Tabor knows what high mountain it is. The climb was almost 2000 feet, high and steep. It may have taken the better part of a day and probably had its dangers. Once at the top it is like looking from an airplane window out on the Jezreel Valley (a.k.a. Megiddo or Armageddon).

So here is a symbol of the cross and of struggle. A climb was up the rough side of the mountain: exhausting, difficult, testing their strength.

I have it on the best of authority that as they climbed they were singing gospel songs: I’m comin’ up on the rough side of the mountain, and I’m doin’ my best to carry on! Another songs says, My soul looks back and wonders how I got over! Yet another says, We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, every round goes higher, higher.

Now, this climb reminds us of our life. For often we have had to climb, to endure and have our strength tested. Perhaps it was the climb of getting a college degree. Perhaps it was the climb of raising children, or building a career. What do you have that you really value that did not come at the price of a climb….of effort and struggle?

And most of us know that, though the climb is difficult, there is glory at the top is we but endure and push through. Life’s difficulties are often the prelude to success and greater strength.

Though we might wish that life had no struggles, it would seem that the Lord intends the climb for us. For, the cross alone leads to true glory. Where would we be without some of the crosses in our life? Let’s ponder some of the Purposes of problems:

God uses problems to DIRECT us. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new directions and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways,” Proverbs 20:30 says: Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inner most being. Another old gospel song speaks of the need of suffering to keep us focused on God: Now the way may not be too easy. But you never said it would be. Cause when our way gets a little too easy, you know we tend to stray from thee. Sad but true, God sometimes needs to use problems to direct our steps to him.
God uses problems to INSPECT us. People are like tea bags.. if you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a
problem? What do problems reveal about you? Our problems have a way of helping to see what we’re really made of. I have discovered many strengths I never knew I had through trials and testings. There is a test in every testimony and trials have a way of purifying and strengthening our faith as well as inspecting our faith to see whether it is really genuine. 1 Peter 1:6 says, In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure.
God uses problems to CORRECT us. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something health, money, a relationship by losing it. Scripture says in Psalm 119:71-72 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees and also in Psalm 119:67 it says Before I was afflicted, I strayed. But now I keep you word.
God uses problems to PROTECT us. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. A man was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem-but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management’s actions were eventually discovered. Scripture says in Genesis 50:20 as Joseph speaks to his brothers You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
God uses problems to PERFECT us. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Romans 5:3 says We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. And 1 Peter 1:7 says You are being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.

So here it is, the cross symbolized by the climb. But after the cross comes the glory. Let’s look at stage two:

II. The Productiveness of Trials. The text says, While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

All the climbing has paid off. Now comes the fruit of all that hard work! The Lord gives them a glimpse of glory! They get to see the glory that Jesus has always had with the Father. He is dazzlingly bright. A similar vision from the book of revelation gives us more detail:

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, ….. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Rev 1:12-17)

Yes, all the climbing has paid off. Now comes the glory, the life, the reward or endurance and struggle. Are you enjoying any the fruits of your crosses now? If we think about it, our crosses, if they were carried in faith have made us more confident, stronger. Some of us have discovered gifts, abilities and endurance we never knew we had. Our crosses have brought us life!

The other night I went over to the Church and played the pipe organ. It was most enjoyable and the fruit of years of hard work.
And not only have my own crosses brought me life, but the crosses of others have also blessed me and brought me life. I live and work in buildings that others saved and scrimped and labored to build. I have a faith that martyrs died to hand on to me, that missionaries journeyed long distances to proclaim. See the trials do produce. Enjoy it!
St. Paul says, that this momentary affliction is producing for us a weight of glory beyond all compare (2 Cor 4:14). He also says For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Rom 8:18).
An old gospel song says, By and by, when the morning comes, and all the saints of God are gathered home, we’ll tell the story, of how we’ve overcome. And we’ll understand it better, by and by.

So then, here is the glory that comes after the climb. Here is the life that comes from the cross. Here is the paschal mystery: Always carrying about in our selves the dying of Christ so also that the life of Christ may be manifest in us (2 Cor 4:10).

III. The Pattern of Trials – The text says, After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen..

Notice that, although Peter wanted to stay, Jesus makes it clear that they must go down the mountain for now and walk a very dark valley, to another hill, Golgotha. For now, the pattern must repeat. The cross has led to glory, but more crosses are needed before final glory. An old spiritual says, We are climbing Jacob’s ladder….every round goes higher, higher, soldiers of the cross!

This is our life. Always carrying within our self the dying of Christ so also that [the rising of Christ], the life of Christ may be manifest in us (cf 2 Cor 4:10).

There are difficult days ahead for Jesus and the apostles. But the crosses lead to a final and lasting glory. This is our life too. The paschal mystery, the pattern and rhythm of our life.

This Homily was recorded and is available in mp3 here: http://frpope.com/audio/2%20Lent%20A%202011.mp3

Here is an excerpt from the Song We are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder. The Text says that every round goes higher, higher! Almost as if imagining a spiral staircase even as the rounds get pitched higher musically. For this is the pattern of our life that we die with Christ so as to live with him. And each time we come back around to the cross, or back around to glory, we are one round higher and one level closer to final glory.

February 22, 2013May 29, 2015

Life is a Dance! A Simple Idea Writ Large

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing (Ps 30:11)

Let them praise his name with dancing, (Ps 149:3)

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance (Eccl 3:4)

I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful. (Jer 31:4)

Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (Jer 31:13)

They send forth their children as a flock; their little ones dance about. (Job 21:11)

and while they dance they will sing: “In you all find their home” (Psalm 87:7)