We are surrounded by prophets singing of salvation. But do they have love? Not the faux version sold by pop culture, comfort food for the soul sort of stuff, but the real thing. The kind that gets you run out of town for daring to rejoice with the truth. The kind that brings joy to your heart as you gird your loins, because you know what is coming and who has your back when it arrives. Does your favored prophet have that kind of love? And if not, why give them your vote, let alone your allegiance?
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Yet two millennia later, our world is still full of the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed. Was our Brother delusional? Or have we been ignorant? And what do our answers mean during this new "year acceptable to the Lord" proclaimed by our bishops? Yes, we should bring wealth, health, and freedom to those brothers and sisters who lack them. But an even greater act of mercy would be to share the good news that such things are already ours, even if we refuse to see or feel them. So do not be sad when your efforts fail to fix the problems of the world. And do not weep for utopias that were never meant to be. No, rejoice today, for I bring to you glad tidings: the kingdom is here; the kingdom is now; the kingdom is yours for the taking.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
"As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you." But do we rejoice in our God? Do we honor them during the hard times? Do we love them in sickness and in death? Do we believe in them after the wine is long gone, along with the food and the water, and no miracle is in sight? Or are we just glorified gold diggers, holding onto our praise until we get some "marvelous deeds"? Yes, your Lover is offering you their hand and their kingdom. So what kind of spouse will you be?
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Violence. Disease. Poverty. Natural Disasters. We have good reason to be anxious and afraid. And it is understandable that we seek comfort in practical solutions, in acts of mercy and social justice. But such "solutions" bring only fleeting peace, for the comfort we need cannot be produced, not even with rituals of water and oil. No, we need the Spirit and the fire she brings. A fire that burns into our hearts, consuming all the lies we tell ourselves about life. A fire that opens our eyes to something wonderful, something we previously might have mistaken for trash. A fire that showers us with sparks every day of our lives, if only we are willing to see. And if we do, we shall know comfort beyond measure, for we shall know hope. So let us bless the Spirit, dear souls, for she is great indeed!
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. The words are American, but the truth they speak of is ancient. It is the same truth as was revealed to the magi, Paul, and countless others down the ages: we are one people, one family. But will we choose to embrace this truth or fight against it? The voices of tribalism are legion: left, right, and center; champions of nativism and diversity alike. So many, too many, urge us to stay in our corners, our bubbles. Whether from fear of contamination or assimilation, we cling to superficial distinctions, while ignoring shared grace. These actions might suit the needs of the powers that be, of all sides, but they do not serve our family, no matter how much we pretty them up with the latest buzzwords. At the end of the day, we have a choice to make, just as the magi did. So what will ours be? Herod and his ilk or our Parent and theirs? Tribe or family? Many or one?
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
We are the children of God. You. Me. And everyone else on this little rock. We are siblings. Brothers and sisters all. And not in some hippy-dippy sense, but in our blood and bones, our hearts and souls. For we are the creation of our one Parent. Every last one of us. We are bound together in the deepest of ways, whether we like it or not. We are family. And that truth matters more than anything corporate religion or the prophets of tribalism can ever devise. You may not always agree with or even like your relatives, but they are always your family. Some bonds cannot be broken. And if we listen closely, we will hear our hearts and souls demanding that those bonds be recognized and honored, even with our worst enemies. So dare to follow the Spirit's call. Claim your place in the house of the Lord. It is your home too, and one far grander than any temple or cathedral, because it is simply our family.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Today, we celebrate our Parent's grand plan: they simply decided to join us. Yes, God became one of us, in all our idiotic glory. They wanted us to be able to feel our hands in theirs when they tell us to be unafraid. They wanted us to see that they know what it is like to walk in darkness, and what it means to hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. They wanted us to know that we are not alone. Regardless of the countless times we refuse to trust them, they will always offer us their presence. Yes, today is truly a day of good news, for upon us all, divine favor rests. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Do you believe that our Parent's words will be fulfilled? That is the challenge of Advent. They promise us peace and salvation, but not according to our timelines or expectations. So do you trust them? Are your grand plans a true manifestation of their will, or an attempt to hedge your bets? We try so hard to complicate these questions, but our choices are rather simple, just like Mary's: yes or no.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Third Sunday of Advent
"What should we do?" Be kind to all. It really is that simple. We get so caught up in grand plans to fix the world, that we are blind to the power of ordinary kindness. The Lord whom we long for this season came to us as a brother and a friend, not as some sort of social justice warrior-king. Yes, he baptizes us with fire, but the fire of grace, not zealotry. A fire meant to drive us to recognize all those whom we meet as beloved members of our one family and to treat them accordingly. Listen to them, even when you do not like what they say. Embrace them, even when you fear that they might hurt you. Share all you possess, and refuse to use them as tools for personal profit. And when you inevitably fail at such tasks, apologize and make amends. Yes, grace really is simple and ordinary. So as we finish Advent and begin the Jubilee of Mercy, let us "cry out with joy and gladness": for the great and holy family to which we belong; for the opportunity to be generous with our Parent's love; and for the knowledge that she is near, patiently waiting to gather us into a kingdom that surpasses all expectation.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
We are the crooked roads in need of straightening. We are the mountains and chasms blocking God's way. And by we, I do mean all of us, not just a handful of trigger-pullers and their accomplices. We all embrace tribalism. We all use violence to fix our problems. And our hearts and souls become rougher with every step down those paths. So what are we to do? Love our enemies. Acknowledge both killers and killed as our brothers and sisters. Mourn them all. Grand plans will never heal the world's ills, only the grace of hearts and souls transformed by repentance and forgiveness stands a chance. Yes, "the Lord has done great things." They became one of us, to show us the splendor of our family. And if we are truly "filled with joy," then we will celebrate every sibling, even those we fear or dislike.
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