October 13th, 2019
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance …” In the ancient world and into the Middle Ages, there was no treatment for leprosy. People thought it was wildly contagious and were suspicious of any skin diseases. Lepers were isolated from civil society. This isolation was uphold by the Mosaic Law. Should there be a healing from leprosy, the former leper was to present himself to a priest to certify the healing. Like Jesus commands, “Show yourselves to the priests.” The person would then undergo a religious rite to be formally reintroduced to society. In other words, a leper got their life back. So why didn’t they come back?

“As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” Of the ten lepers healed by Christ, only one returns with a grateful heart. The others, perhaps, were thankful enough. Perhaps they couldn’t believe their luck, and they hastened to the priests to confirm the healing. They were more than willing to leave their life of rejection and isolation behind. Why take any steps backward, when the way ahead was so attractive? An attitude like this is perhaps understandable, but few would admire it.

How about you? Do you come back? If you’ve ever had the experience of getting what you hoped and prayed for, you know that this can sometimes be easier said than done. When we’ve wanted something badly enough, how easy it can be to focus on the gift rather than the giver. The truth is, God is daily offering us gifts: the gift of our existence, of the created world, of family and friends, of modern conveniences. Even in times of distress, there is always something to be thankful for. This Sunday, give yourself a gratitude check. Count your blessings. Glorify God and thank Him for the gift of your life.

©LPi

October 6^th, 2019
27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“When you have done all you have been commanded, say ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” The metaphor in the story could seem harsh to us today. A servant has worked hard all day, and rather than receiving a much-needed respite, the master commands an additional task. Jesus, however, is appearing to their sensibilities. This was a hierarchical society in which everyone had a place. His listeners would know this. No servant would presume a reward for good deeds.

It’s important to remember that we do have a place at God’s table. But we don’t “earn” it. Dining with the Lord at the heavenly wedding feast requires surrender. It requires deep faith in God and His promises. It also requires commitment. The kingdom takes work! There are fields to plow and initiatives to prepare. There are sheep to tend to and family to care for. There are people waiting for our yes to generous service. When we serve dinner at a homeless shelter, we are waiting on the table of Christ. When we visit an ill relative, we’re imitating the Good Samaritan. We’re visiting Jesus! We’re growing his kingdom of life and love.

The Gospel today reminds us to check our motives. Are we serving because we’re seeking a reward? Or because we have faith that this is who we’re meant to serve? That is, is this where we’re meant to be? The Gospel reminds us that this faith can do powerful things! “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” But, ultimately, we’re not the ones doing the deeds. We’re not the ones “earning” the grace. Faith, and the good we do for others, is a gift.
©LPi

September 29, 2019
26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
If you saw someone dead come to life tomorrow, what would you change about your life? Would you say “nothing”? That’s what Jesus seems to hope. After all, we already know what to do. In this Sunday’s Gospel, a rich man and a poor man pass away, the former to damnation and the latter to peaceful rest alongside the Jewish patriarchs. The rich man asks if the poor man can appear to his brothers and advise them to live a more virtuous life. The parable offers a strong rebuke: “They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.” In other words, they should already know what to do.
 
We, too, know what to do. More than Moses, Jesus Christ himself has spoken, and continues to speak through his Church. The rich man did not heed the wise words, despite knowing them. If we are convicted against certain Christian teachings in our heart, how much good will miraculous “proofs” do? We know more than the law and the prophets — we know the prophetic law of love proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Are we living like we believe it?
 
Where in our lives are we like the rich man? Do we know how to treat the poor but still we ignore them in our excess? Do we know the third commandment, but the Sunday liturgy feels “optional” when other weekend commitments arise? Have we heard Christ’s teachings on sexuality, but consider them out of reach for us? We have received a great many truths as Christian people. We are blessed by God with the sacraments and the abundance of His graces. We have what we need — in Him — to begin to live a virtuous life now.
 
©LPi

September 22, 2019
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
Compartmentalization or consistency? In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells a strange story of a sneaky, savvy steward that raises questions about our personal virtue. “How much do you owe? Here is your promissory note, write one for eighty.” This parable isn’t advice for money management. Historically, there were many positions that acted on behalf of their masters regarding money, like customs agents, household stewards, and tax collectors. Often these workers over-charged and skimmed off the top.
 
Usurious practices like this were not in line with the traditional Jewish understanding of money lending, which strictly forbade them from taking interest or making a profit off of their own people. As the steward reduced the debt, he was likely writing out the amount he originally intended to take for himself. Before the steward can be commended, he needs to right the wrong done.
 
“The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.” This parable contains an important self-check. We have a great many things we’re responsible for that seem to have nothing to do with the kingdom of God. How do we interact in those spaces? Are we trustworthy in our dealings at work and at home? Are we honest and faithful to our commitments to family and friends? Are we honest with our money and prudent with how we spend our time?
 
Jesus calls his disciples to consistency. How often do we expect that we can be one person one place, yet shrug off that persona in a new situation? “No servant can serve two masters.” This week, take stock of your life. All of your life. Are you living the Gospel values wherever you go?