Whose Sin Is It?

Last Sunday, we heard the question of whether or not the man was born blind because of his own sin or that of his parents.  Jesus response of course was neither, but rather that God may be glorified.

Those are indeed words of hope for m this week as I await the results of a biopsy on my prostate for possible cancer. They are words of hope for another gentleman I know who has also recently had Prostate CA confirmed.

Neither of us would object if God healed us immediately, but God will be glorified in how we, as men of faith, face the challenges of living and dealing with the disease. We each embrace life for the great joys and beauty that it affords us. May God  give each person who suffers from health issues the joy and strength to face whatever lies in the future.

Do You Believe All?

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features-the-religion-world/2011/03/22/new-report-finds-catholics-more-accepting-of-gay-rights/

As I read this article I was reminded that as part of a profession of faith members state publicly that they believe all that a church proclaims and teaches to be true.   This article makes the case that a large number of the laity of the Roman Rite seem to be more in line with we Old Catholics than with their own church when it comes to Gay Rights. God bless them for being such forward thinkers.

UCF CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

The UCF event to memorialize those GLBT youth who have taken their own lives in the past few weeks was beautiful in its simplicity. The University president and one of the VPs were present as well. Clergy were present, that I knew of, from Oasis Ministry, Joy MCC, and of course Holy Angels. Speakers urged the young men and women gathered there to never loose their voices because of being bullied, to fight on for what is right, and to respect all even when we are disrespected. The representative of UCF spoke eloquently. She urged all to employ the Golden Rule in our daily lives.

Feast Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop, Doctor

The Reading

Judith 8:25-26,27

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God who, as he tested our ancestors, is now testing us. Remember how he treated Abraham, all the ordeals of Isaac and all that happened to Jacob. For as these ordeals were intended by him to search their hearts, so now this is not vengeance that God exacts against us, but a warning inflicted by the Lord on those who are near his heart.

My Thoughts +++

He was born in Antioch. After a thorough education, he took up the ascetic life. He was ordained to the priesthood, and became a fruitful and effective preacher.He was elected Patriarch of Constantinople in 397, and was energetic in reforming the ways of the clergy and the laity alike. His sermons and writings did much to explain the Catholic faith and to encourage the living of the Christian life: his eloquence earned him the surname “Chrystostom” (the Greek for “golden mouth”).

St John called upon sinners to repent. How do we do that? We begin by searching our hearts. Deep within each of we have an innate knowledge of God. We search our hearts to see what it is we place as being more important than God and thus identify our own sin. We can then call upon God’s power to help us set that sin aside and transform our lives more fully into what God calls us to be – heralds of his love to the world.

Evening Prayer 24 Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Reading

Hebrews 12:22-24

What you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ’first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

My Thoughts+++

Those that believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, have been invited to the feast. We are one with the saints in heaven. May we be wise enough to accept the invitation and follow the Lord.

Morning Prayer 24 Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Reading

2 Timothy 2:8,11-13

Remember the Good News that I carry, ’Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David’; Here is a saying that you can rely on: ‘If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him. If we disown him, then he will disown us. We may be unfaithful, but he is always faithful, for he cannot disown his own self.’

My Thoughts +++

How does one die with Jesus? We do so when we are baptized. We die to our old selves and rise new creatures in Jesus Christ. In that new life we have new responsibilities.  which include spreading the good news. Proclaiming the gospel then isn’t just the responsibility of the clergy. We all own it. This Sunday morning, may we all recommit ourselves to spreading the good news.

Evening Prayer Saturday of week 23 of Ordinary Time

The Reading

2 Peter 1:19-21

We have confirmation of what was said in prophecies; and you will be right to depend on prophecy and take it as a lamp for lighting a way through the dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds. At the same time, we must be most careful to remember that the interpretation of scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual. Why? Because no prophecy ever came from man’s initiative. When men spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them.

My Thoughts +++

Some people believe that those who preach or give homilies simply stand up and talk. Oh that it should be that easy.  Rather it takes about a week to prepare for our congregations . First we must read the scriptures that will form the message of a particular mass. Then we must pray about them and ponder their meaning in light of the current times. Next we do the exegesis — we consult biblical experts to shed meaning on God’s word. Then we start writing. After writing comes more prayer. Then we start to edit. Those who have listened to me know that I try to keep it to 5 to 7 minutes. Then of course some of us practice our deliveries. For me I run through it in my mind. If I think it came off poorly at the first mass, I rework it in my head to do a better job at the second mass.  So what you come away with is not so much what I think you should hear, but what the Holy Spirit has prompted me to say to you. May we all be guided by God’s Spirit as we seek to do God’s will.

Morning Prayer Saturday of week 23 of Ordinary Time

The Reading

Philippians 2:14-15

Do all that has to be done without complaining or arguing and then you will be innocent and genuine, perfect children of God among a deceitful and underhand brood, and you will shine in the world like bright stars.

My Thoughts +++

Today we commemorate those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of  September 11, 2001. We are reminded by this reading that there are extremest out there on every side – Jewish, Christians, Muslim, Hindu,  etc who pervert and twist their religious teachings and do harm to others, Rather than attaching each other, we believers in the true ways being proclaimed by all these great regions should unite to bring about a world of peace and harmony.  We would become shining lights for the world showing them the way.

Evening Prayer Friday of week 23 of Ordinary Time

The Reading

James 1:2-4

My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its practical results so that you will become fully-developed, complete, with nothing missing.

My Thoughts +++

Ever her the expression, “When God gives you lemons, make lemonade?”  That sort of sums up this evenings reading. No one promised us a life of ease with no worries. We were simply given life, to make of it what we can. To place ourselves and our talents in service of the greater good. Sadly the ethos today is to get all you can for yourself and to hell with other people. May we all be mindful think less about our own troubles and instead turn to help others even when we ourselves may be in need. Got any lemonade top share?

Morning Prayer Friday of week 23 of Ordinary Time

The Reading

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

My Thoughts +++

Somedays life comes at us hard. The choices we make bring about certain events as do the choices we don’t make. When those reslts impact us negatively with unemployment, poor health, estranged relationships some reslt to the poor me attitude and hold a pity party. Pity parties can lead to abuse of drugs and alcohol or worse.

It’s not suppose to be that way for we Christians.

It is in these situations we are to rely on Christ, remembering to turn to God for the strength to face those challenges. Yet to do that means we have to keep that connection to God strong as well. Turn to God in prayer at least once each day. Letting God know what’s on  our minds and hearts. Then spend some time listening for the quiet voice of God speaking to us telling us, we are loved.  May you be aware of God’s love this day and always. May Christ be your strength and your shield.