The House of Charity Begins in My Heart

In this week’s Gospel from Matthew Jesus tells us, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”  However, it is easy for us to get caught up in things, desiring and wanting that which we perceive to be better, so we move from one cell phone to the next, from one moderate vehicle to our dream vehicle, from a two bedroom house with the picket fence to the 5 bedroom, 3 full baths, and a stone wall for a fence with an automatic gate opener.  And yet, it’s never enough.  Happiness never rested in things, but right here in the human heart.  Jesus didn’t have a thing nor did He desire things.  The only thing He desired is us. 

When Jesus was speaking these words He was speaking them not to the poor but to those who have.  There is another reality for those who are poor even though they try to accept the words of Jesus they do worry about their lives, where their next meal will come from because they have not eaten in days and the clothes they wear is torn and ragged.  This is a reality, one that is hidden from us because it is always somewhere else, somewhere over there. 

We are asked by the Lord Himself to let go of the things we want and to be simply satisfied in Him, but we are also asked to provide for those in need and we as a Parish, the Church of the Holy Family have been doing so for a long time.  I want to thank you and commend you for giving to the House of Charity and doing so with great vigor even when we were down (economical downturn of 2008 and following).  When you gave to the House of Charity it wasn’t simply to Bishop Sullivan or a particular group but to those in need, be they poor children who need shelter, protection, school assistance, be it poor schools who cannot afford books for the children, for our elderly priests living in community, or our seminarians who rely solely on our good charity, for those who visit Catholic Charities for food, clothing, employment, and the list can go on and on.

I feel awkward and a little embarrassed that I am here only month and I am asking you for money and money that is not even for us but for others.  I pray that you will be generous with your brothers and sisters who are in need as you have done so many times before.  All of us give, even we priests and deacons, we give because we know the noble cause that it serves.  For remember, “The least you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters you have done unto me.”

I want to thank each and every one of you for kindness and generosity in supporting the House of Charity.  Even if you cannot give for whatever circumstances please help us with your prayers.  God bless you all, Fr. John

Merciful and Gracious

I’d like to reflect on a couple of verses from today’s Psalm (103) in which the Psalmist writes,

“Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness.  Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”

All of us expect the Lord’s mercy because we know that He is all good and compassionate.  Dare I say that we even take it for granted at times, not so much out of any evil impulse, but rather because of knowing who Jesus is.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have a Messiah, a Savior who is so patient with us and willing to forgive us for our worst offenses?

 

When we read Scripture or Church history we say that God forgives everything, except the great sin of believing that God’s grace is ineffective or not accepting it.  God forgave Moses for striking the Rock twice when instructed to strike it only once.  He forgave King David for conspiring to commit murder against Uriah and for his adultery with Bathsheba.  He forgave Solomon for his great pride and thirst for lust.  He forgave Peter for denying Him three times, St. Paul for persecuting Christians, and for St. Augustine’s life of wandering, fornication, and pride.  He forgives, this is clear.  This gives me and I hope you as well great hope that we can go to our Father for anything and everything.  We automatically expect to be forgiven, again, not because of me so much, but rather, due to who the Lord is, compassionate and merciful.

In our first reading, God says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  This means not so much that I only treat my neighbor nicely or that I like him.  The words “nice” and “like” are rarely if never used for describing relationship in the Bible.  Basically the question that arises is - can I forgive like God forgives?  How can I expect the Lord to forgive me and even come to take it for granted at times but I do not do the same for my neighbor?  Can I truly love my neighbor if I cannot forgive as Jesus did?

Whom have I not been able to forgive and why?  Am I better than that person\s?  Am I justified in withholding my forgiveness?  What if the Lord withheld forgiveness from me, how can I stand?  Maybe this week we can remember the words of the Psalmist; here they are once again,

“Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness.  Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”

These Words are given to us to believe for ourselves in what Jesus does for us, but they only have value and meaning when I too can extend them to my neighbor.  AMEN!

The artwork is from the scene in Matthew Chapter 9:1-8, when they lower the paralytic down through Peter's roof and Jesus says, "Your sins are forgiven."  He is challenged by some who are there, stating, "that only God can forgive sins."  To prove that Jesus can forgive sins, he heals the paralytic which is harder to do than say, "Your sins are forgiven." 

Growing Up With God

When you think about justice and mercy in the life of a person you can see how as the person matures so too does justice and mercy.  When we were little our parents dealt with us a certain way, it was usually pretty direct, “don’t do this or don’t do that.”  As little children we would ask, “why not?”  The parent would usually respond in a direct and black and white way, “because I said so,” or “because it’s not good for you.”  As little children our moral make up and understanding consisted in, “if you do such and such then these will be the consequences.”  There was not much room for the “grey area” if you will.  As we grew older we began to understand why something was good and why something was bad or to be avoided.  I liken the individual’s maturity with justice and mercy to that of our entire society.  Allow me to explain.

When the People of God had been taught through the Prophets, be it Moses, Ezekiel, Daniel, they were still being taught in their infancy and early youth.  Society was much like the child trying to learn the “why” behind the Law.  This does not mean they were less than us or that we are much wiser, but society grows up, if you will and matures just like the child.

When you read the Old Testament it is very black and white, it is very exact, much like a parent dealing with a child.  It does not mean the method was wrong.  Take for example a parent trying to explain to a seven year old Aristotle’s Nicomchean Ethics.  It would not work.  However if you try to explain it to a twenty-five year old person they will grasp it much better.  God did not bombard us with everything, but slowly over time began to develop the Truth to a fuller understanding.

So yes, if you hit someone in the face you should get ready to get hit in return, however, since we have matured God said, “The better thing is to hold your fist and turn the other cheek.”

In today’s Gospel reading Jesus knows the time is ready, young Israel is maturing so therefore like a good parent who challenges their teenagers, Jesus said, ““You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.  But I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment (and) “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.  But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  “Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.  But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne;  nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;  nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.  Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”

Jesus truly raises the bar for us.  The bar is no longer simply down here, but way up here.  Before it was an eye for an eye now Jesus demands more, He demands love in all things.  If you hate your brother you are a murderer as it is written in John’s 1^st letter, here in the Gospel Jesus tells us anger at our brother, unjust anger, can lead to judgment never mind revenge.  Adultery is committed in one’s heart not just in one’s actions, again the bar is set way up and finally don’t make promises you can’t keep, just live for today and live with love.

We may think it unfair that Jesus has set the bar so high, but thank goodness He did.  If we are to become perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect then we must aspire to it with every fiber in our body and souls.  We have grown up as a society since Jesus was here and He demands much of us, even more than what He demanded from the Apostles.  The question is have we grown up?  The bar has been set even higher, are we up for the challenge.  I pray we are.

Light to Others

I am sure you have heard some of the following clichés, “Don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk and the famous one that is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel and use words if necessary.”  I bring these cliché’s to mind because Jesus challenges us to let our light shine before others and we are the light of the world.  Today that is more of a challenge than ever.

The challenges can be personal, at home, at work, at school and even on a societal level.  The challenge personally is to face my own weaknesses, foibles, temptations and even my own sins and do my best to move towards perfection.  Everyone is called to holiness, to live a life of virtue.  Many of us struggle with pride, anger, lack of patience, lust, greed, laziness, or any of life’s little or big addictions.  Honesty and surrender to God in all things is the beginning of healing and a movement towards righteousness.  Sometimes these challenges last a life time and that’s ok since the life of a Christian is fighting the good fight and finishing the race well (c.f. St. Paul 2 Tim 4:7).

Being a light to others and being Jesus to them also presents challenges for the young, especially those in High School and College.  There are so many pressures coming from everywhere for our young.  Society tells them one thing and the Gospel tells them another.  I taught and coached in High School, don’t be fooled – the young have many pressures in trying to live up to expectations from home, at school, from their peers, trying to fit in, the temptation of drugs and alcohol and on and on it goes.  However, with a good strong moral background our young can face these obstacles with the Christian dignity that is theirs through baptism and the moral compass instilled by you their parents.  I am also a realist and I realize that many succumb to the temptations of growing up, sometimes the best we can do is pray and hope that it is just a phase and that our young will eventually choose the better part, as a great majority wind up doing.  I encourage all the youth here today never be ashamed of Jesus and His teachings and the good things your parents, coaches, and teachers have taught you.  You are loved more than you can imagine, fight that good fight as St. Paul urges all of us.

Finally I will share with you a story of a good friend who at work proclaims the Gospel both in his words and actions.  My friend Tom is a union electrician and he often shares with me what happens at work.  Often times it is witnessing to others.  I know what it is like to work in the field (being a former union laborer) and let’s be honest, I remember our language and conversation was not always the best.  This is not to put anyone down, many of the guys I worked with and the guys Tom has worked with were and are holier than us.  But, it was on these jobs were if Tom heard others cursing or telling unsavory stories he would ask them to stop and that if Jesus was standing in their company would they use the same language or tell the same stories.  Some of the guys dismissed Tom, but others were convicted and soon enough prayer times began with the fellas at break and lunch and the stories went from unsavory to biblical stories, stories about family, the Church etc.  Tom let a little light shine and it affected others in a positive way.

We can do the same as Tom and be examples of holiness.  Since I am a former teacher and still a teacher in some way I will give you a little bit of homework.  I challenge you whether you are young, middle aged or elderly to be a light to others.  Do not give in to the temptations, be it at school, work, or amongst friends.  Show yourself a Christian, a good Catholic by the way you present yourself (your deeds) and also by preaching the Good News (sharing with others the life of Christ).  As any good teacher I will be collecting the assignment next week, God bless you, Fr. John