Perfect Timing

Sometimes it's not easy to figure out how the readings get arranged to be used on the same day.

Today is not one of those days.

Because we're in the Easter Season, our first reading comes from Acts, instead of the Old Testament. As in past weeks, this serves as our glimpse into the early church.

The second reading is a jewel: 1 Peter 3:15-18. Even if it's debatable whether or not this is actually a letter from Peter, the message comes through loud and clear:

"Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear ..."

It gives us pause to consider, what is my reason to hope?
In other words, why do you believe? Or, to allude to a previous post, how do you respond to Nietzsche's question: "You say you are a Christian. But where is your joy?"
How (and why) are you living the joy that comes from the Good News?

We don't have to look far for the answer.

Our Gospel Reading is one of my favorites: John 14:15-21.
As part of the "Last Discourses," Jesus reminds his disciples,

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you always, the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize
that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Besides offering us a beautiful Trinitarian Theology, Jesus promises us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will be with us in all times and places, connecting us to the Son and the Father, giving us light and life.

Not all Christians (or Catholics) have a great appreciation for the Holy Spirit. And honestly, our Western, analytical minds have a hard time understanding how the Third Person fits into the Trinity. But so long as we understand the Spirit to be our Advocate (also known as the Paraclete or Counselor), our lifeline to both the Word and our Loving Father, the Holy Spirit is also our reason to hope, because we know God is always with us.

And considering we celebrate the Ascension this coming Thursday (May 1), the timing couldn't be any better.

Who do you know?

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "It's not what you know; it's WHO you know."

Seems pretty jaded to me.  But in fact, today's Gospel (John 14:1-12) makes this very point.  

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  Knowing Him means knowing the Father (because Jesus is the fullness of God's revelation (God's self-communication)).  

When times are tough, when we feel lost, when it becomes easy to doubt, despair, or lose hope, just remember, it's all about WHO you know.

And you know the way, the truth, and the life.

What more could you need?

Yet it doesn't end there.  Although we can be encouraged and confident that we know Jesus (and therefore, also the Father), this comes with a challenge and responsibility:

How do you make Jesus proud to say He knows you? 

Coming to America

Dan, you asked previously about Pope Benedict XVI's pilgrimage to America.
He arrives today, so I thought I'd respond to your request for a few comments.

First of all, I don't have a lot of expectations because I don't really know what to expect.
This is not for want of coverage, however.

The New York Times has been running pieces for the last week about all the details that go into such visits, the state of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States today, and even how the presidential candidates are vying for the Catholic vote [to read these noteworthy articles, visit: http://www.nytimes.com/national/nationalspecial2/index.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1208275511-rXOt+44FGlodOYHMs3eCdg#].

The Catholic press in America has been offering a bevy of articles, as well. If anyone is interested in following the Pope's apostolic journey to DC and NYC, I'd suggest the USCCB's coverage [http://www.uspapalvisit.org/].

But again, as far as expectations go, I'm not sure I have much to offer.
Benedict's first two encyclicals, Deus caritas est (2005) and Spe salvi (2007) focused on love and hope, respectively. I'd expect his message to involve those two themes and his visit to be one which promotes unity, as well.

My fear, though, is that some of what he says or has said will either be used (or distorted) for misunderstandings, division, and to highlight areas of contention. For example, I am troubled by the National "Catholic" Prayer Breakfast being held on the 18th. Catholics United for the Common Good is launching peaceful protest of this event, since the Prayer Breakfast is making the rather presumptuous claim that the Catholic Church supports the policies of the Bush Administration and will serve as the springboard to endorse the candidacy of Senator John McCain.

To learn more about the Catholic Prayer Breakfast, visit: http://www.catholics-united.org/ncpb
To sign the petition in protest, visit: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1548/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=348

Such partisan distortion of the truth is exactly what we do not need.

This visit ought to be ecumenical, based on themes of not only love and hope, but also peace, justice, and solidarity. I expect Benedict to (rightly) condemn the war in Iraq and violence in general. He should address the economic needs of certainly the poor (maybe it would have been appropriate for Benedict to visit New Orleans, as well?), but also the increasing number of middle-class Americans who are struggling to make ends meet (especially in light of the current mortgage crisis). And certainly there is potential for global application on Friday, when Benedict addresses the UN to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Many of Vatican II's documents (notably Pacem in terris, Dignitatis humanae, and Guadium et spes) were inspired by and alluded to the original proclamation.

But it need not only focus on policies, general exhortations to leading lives of charity, hope, and justice, or directed to those with status and power (though I am sure Benedict will have plenty to say in those regards). It needs to also speak to Catholics -- and all Americans -- where they are today. And I hope this includes a special address to youth. That was definitely a special charism of John Paul II, one I wish his successor would revitalize and maintain.

The Pope should address the problems, fears, and stress of modern life. And he should, as Catholic Tradition has, appeal to both reason and revelation to point out that Jesus is our hope, our strength, and our inspiration for living. And we have no reason to worry, doubt, or despair.

As he prepares to celebrate Mass for thousands, a simple reflection on the readings (especially Sunday's Gospel, John 14:1-12) should serve as inspiration enough.

It will be interesting to see what unfolds ...

The Call

Today is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Although I think the intention is specifically for religious vocations (to religious or ordained life), today's Gospel (John 10:1-10) is a beautiful reminder that God calls each and every one of us by name.

And truly, this image is quite striking. But only if you understand the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. To keep this post somewhat brief, I'll summarize it like this: a shepherd probably had a love-hate relationship with his flock. They were his livelihood, his company out in pasture, and above all, his responsibility. He had to protect them from wolves and snares and getting lost because he depended on the wool, meat, sale, or sacrifice of each and every one. A shepherd did not have one too many sheep; each one was a prized possession. And although those who know sheep know they have quirks, character, and personalities, they also know that it isn't wise to name the sheep, because, in the end, they are either sold or killed. So it's just easier to keep a distance from them in some regards.

Jesus takes this image (understood by the common people of his day, but not by the Pharisees -- hmmm, I wonder why ...) and made two important distinctions:
1) Jesus calls us by name because he loves us by name -- each one of us, with our quirks, character, and personality. Even if it makes it harder for him to see us choose the wrong path, get scared, and fall away.

2) Jesus watches over us and protects us not for his own good (like a shepherd, selling or killing the sheep for his own profit), but for our good: in the final words of the Gospel, so we might "have life and live it to the full."

This means that when we fall away from the flock or when we chase after a nice patch of grass or get scared away by some bad weather, a loud noise, or an animal on the prowl, that God calls us back to the fold by name.

Jesus knows us. Jesus loves us. Jesus pursues us.

But the world is full of a lot of crap, a lot of temptation, confusion, and ultimately competing voices. That's why, at bottom, the image of Christ as the gate to salvation has to be our focus and goal. Others might try to sway us with talk of short-cuts, greater rewards, or a more pleasurable experience. But we have to focus. We have to keep our eyes on the gate.

And because the path to the gate is not something we can see, we have to listen to the one who calls us and leads us to it.

So, get away from all the noise, confusion, and competition. Think about what is right, true, good, and real -- and what is fake, false, and empty. Be still and listen.
Jesus is calling you by name.

What is he saying to you? Where is he calling you? How can you answer The Call?

A Response: Feeling Different After Mass

I know what you mean. I remember being so excited for my first Eucharist in second grade. I couldn't wait to receive Jesus. And afterwards, all I could think was: Really? This is it?

Sounds terrible, doesn't it? But I have a feeling that a lot of Catholics share what you asked about: why don't we feel different after Mass if receiving the Eucharist means being transformed by the Real Presence of Christ?

This is not to say that the Sacrament is not valid. In fact, a Sacrament is always valid because it is Christ who presides and celebrates. So feeling different isn't a matter of validity; it's a matter of fecundity. Whether or not the Eucharist is fecund (fruitful, effective) is up to us. Just like you can go on a retreat and just go through the motions and not get anything out of it, you can also go to Mass, receive the Real Presence, and not allow it to affect you.

In my youth minister days, I would tell my teens that they would get out of the retreat whatever they put into it. This is basically the same with the Eucharist: our intention has to be to receive God's grace and be open to its movement in our lives.

This is not to say our will is stronger than the grace we receive in the Sacrament. Rather, that this grace is designed to work in synergy with our will and desire. This is because God respects our free will. If we don't want to be changed, we won't; if we desire to be transformed, we will.
It's as easy as that.

Religion is personal, but never private.  We gather for Mass because the worship of everyone gathered together is supposed to unify, strengthen, and enhance our praise, thanksgiving, petition, and forgiveness.  This is one of the reasons why praying by yourself is no substitute for going to Mass; we're in this together, true.  What is more, we give glory to God better when we're together.  So let all those friends and neighbors, the many hands and voices, and the myriad desires and needs impact and improve the way you pray while you're at Mass and the way you live after you leave.

The more we hunger and thirst for God, the more we desire to be transformed in the Eucharist, the more fecund this gift will be.

The grace is there. It's just up to us to make use of it.

A Response: The Real Deal or a Symbol?

Is Communion just a symbol of Christ's Presence or is it the Real Presence?

Well, this is a hugely intricate and hotly-contested issue. Here's a brief response:

The Catholic tradition holds that the Eucharist is BOTH the Real Presence of Christ AND a symbol. We call it communion (and actually, our Protestant brothers and sisters do a better job of calling it that than we do), because receiving this gift brings us into communion with our Lord and with each other. In receiving God's gift of God's self we are transformed and even deified: we become like God. God's grace does this -- and it does transform the essence of the gifts we offer into the REAL body and blood of Christ (the technical term for this is transubstantiation). We repeat this action because Jesus, on the night before he died, told his disciples to gather and break bread "in remembrance" of him.

It is a symbol because we repeat this act to remember the institution of the Eucharist. We might be tempted to think it's only a symbol. But this confuses the words sign and symbol. A sign is an indicator; a symbol, from the Greek meaning "to throw together," is an action or object which actually means something else but cannot be separated from the action or object. Symbol actually means creed or belief, meaning we DO this because we BELIEVE it. So there is a significant understanding that God is present with these gifts and in the communion (hence, consubstantiation: with, rather than a transformation).

A stop sign is a sign because it means stop. And that's it. The sign of the cross (what we do with our hands before we pray) is actually a symbol: it does what we believe. On the surface, it marks us as Christians (specifically, Catholics). But it means a lot more than that: it is an entrance into prayer, it's a sign of blessing, and of course, it reminds us of the cross on which Jesus gave himself to atone for our sins. A sign means one thing; a symbol is polyvalent: it means many things. Probably more than any of us realize when we do this act.

So to answer your question (and hopefully, not confuse you further), the Eucharist is both the Real Presence of Christ and a symbol.

Were Not Our Hearts Burning?

When I was a youth minister, I would use today's Gospel (Luke 24:13-35) on retreat. It would initiate an activity where people would go for a walk with someone they don't know, and two by two, share what's in their heart. Just as the disciples did with Jesus, they would just talk about life. This faith-sharing is really the basis for how we live and grow as a church. And it reminds us that our faith is not some personal, self-help spirituality; we are bound together in solidarity with one another.

This "Emmaus walk" is not exactly an original idea. I'm sure people make use of it -- and this passage -- in many, many ways. But I have to confess, even this exercise (as good as it can be when taken seriously and people are vulnerable with each other) misses the point, to some degree.
In this gospel passage, the disciples say, "Were not our hearts burning within us when he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So, at one level, this is about an experience with the Living Word, and a reminder to us to allow the Word to become real for us and in our lives.

But there's one more crucial point: "Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread."

Just as he did on the night he was betrayed -- and just as priest does at every Mass -- Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. THIS is where we encounter Christ: in the Eucharist. (Incidentally, Pope John Paul II wrote about this in his 2004 apostolic letter, Mane Nobiscum Domine, which I would recommend you to read.)

I've written about this before, but it just cannot be overstated: God's gift of God's self in the Eucharist is EVERYTHING we need. It is the "source and summit" of our lives, what brings us meaning, purpose, and sustenance. In this very act, which we remember at every Mass, Jesus Christ gives us the two things we need: food and love.

When we celebrate the Eucharist together on Sunday, we celebrate God's gift of God's self to us. We come together in solidarity to receive this gift of food and love, which is really all we need in life after all: food and love. And, in the grace of the Sacrament, we are transformed so that we are different from when we entered church earlier that day.

We talk a lot about receiving the Eucharist. It's important because it's God's gift of God's self -- and not something to be ignored or rejected. But recognizing the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacrament and receiving it on Sunday is only HALF the story. Our job is to work in synergy with this grace so that we can become what we receive.

And this means connecting the Eucharist with what we think, say, and do well after we leave church. It ought to form, inform, and transform our whole way of being and living.

The disciples were charged with this responsibility at the FIRST Eucharist. But they quickly grew afraid and hid. Jesus' appearance to them on the road to Emmaus was a reminder of this gift and the responsibility which comes with it. As a result of this encounter, their hearts were burning and they rushed off to share the Good News.

How are you receiving this gift and becoming it for others?

A Reponse: Violent Video Games

This is a great question, actually: Is playing violent video games a sin?

There's a lot of debate about engaging in behavior that's ... not exactly something Jesus would do. But I'm not here to tell people they can't dance or sing or have fun. And I don't think banning video games or R-rated movies is the answer, either.

The first rule of thumb is: everything in moderation, right? Anything, to excess, is not a good idea. And I mean anything (except, maybe God). Too much chocolate makes us fat, lazy, and ultimately unhappy. Too much studying leaves us burnt out and unable to process new information. Too much sleep precludes us from living life. Too much service deprives our own needs. So moderation is key.

But that isn't really the question. The question is more about engaging in behavior that might not be good for us. But let's be real here: playing violent video games doesn't necessarily mean that one will become violent. But, let's also admit that spending a lot of time with violent images, explicit language, or even raunchy humor will have an effect on us. Ultimately, it de-sensitizes us to these things. And, from the law of diminishing returns (basically, the more you do something, the less pleasurable it is), we know that that leaves us pushing the envelope for more. This shouldn't come as a surprise: video games are more violent than they used to be, vulgar language is far more common, and I don't think "Borat" would have won such wild popularity if it weren't for a long string of bawdy comedies to set the stage, leaving us thirsting for something even more cutting edge.

What you do and how you spend your time does have an effect on you. It's well documented that if you have friends who are involved in service, you will get involved with service activities. If your friends drink and do drugs, even if you didn't in the beginning, statistics show, eventually you will, too. As William Shakespeare wrote, "tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are."

As a result, it's easy to understand that, if you spend more time studying, you'll get better grades. If you spend more time working out, you'll develop stronger muscles. And, if I'm allowed to use this example, if you spend more time in prayer and doing spiritual reading, you'll have a stronger faith life and a more vibrant relationship with God.

I don't think it's a stretch to conclude then, if you spend a lot of time playing violent video games and watching R-rated movies, it's going to shape you. It might not make you more violent or swear more, but it will have an impact on how you see the world and act in it. After all, we are what we do.

But let me be clear: I'm not here to pass judgment. In moderation, such entertainment can have its place. We all need diversions from time to time. The key is not letting something that is supposed to be used for fun (and a whole separate discussion could be had on why and how we came to believe such a pastime is a valid and worthwhile means of entertainment) develop into something that encroaches on our time for other things -- especially the most important things, like time for faith, family, friends, school, and work.

Ultimately -- and it may help to refer back to my post on making a moral decision (April 4) -- it's up to you and your conscience to determine what's best for you. If this is something you've been thinking about, it may be a sign that your conscience is a bit troubled (either with all the violence or with all the time dedicated to it). But that doesn't mean that if it hasn't bothered you that's a sign everything is fine. If we don't reflect on what we're doing and how we're spending our time, it's very easy (scary, actually) to develop bad habits or practices we didn't mean to pick up. So spend a little time praying with this and thinking about how you're spending your time and if it's really in your best interest and something to be proud of. If you get a feeling like there'd be a better way for you to spend your time -- at least some of it -- go with that.

As I said, we are what we do. So make sure what you do tells people who you really are.

Making a Moral Decision

I can't believe I haven't written about this yet. Perhaps I thought I covered it with my posts from January 24 and 25. In any event, this is an important one!

Here goes ...

How does one make a moral decision? By following a few steps:

1) Get all the facts. Know what you're dealing with and the options in play. Most theologians and ethicists agree: sin results not from intentional decisions to reject God or turn away from what is right, true, or good: it's really a matter of being uninformed. Ignorance may be bliss. And to some extent, it's an excuse. But that's no way to reach our potential or become the best versions of ourselves, as God calls us to be. We can and must do better than plead ignorance.

2) Educate yourself. How is this different from the first point? Well, this is actually about doing a bit of homework: learning the position of the Catholic Church on the topic (it certainly has thought long and hard about what it teaches!), what other experts have to say, and perhaps even what friends and family have to contribute to your dilemma. The key is to be as informed as possible.

3) The rest is up to you. Really. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1778) tells us that our conscience is the "aboriginal Vicar of Christ," which means that in the same way the Pope (whom we call the Vicar of Christ, in the line of succession all the way back to St. Peter) has authority over the Church, so your informed conscience has authority over what is right and good for you.

Now this isn't permission for a free-for-all. It's about genuine prayer, reflection, and discernment on what is right, true, and good for you. How do you determine that? By asking yourself some important questions:
A) How will I flourish (and become the best version of myself)?
B) Will my decision help or hurt my relationship with my family or friends?
C) Is this something I can be proud of? Would I tell my grandparents about this? Will I tell my kids about this someday?
D) What effect will this decision have on my relationship with God?

When I was growing up, "What Would Jesus Do?" was a popular question (and the original bracelet fad). Although it helped many people make difficult decisions to pursue what is right and good, it quickly grew quite unpopular because people grew frustrated and ultimately decided, "I'm not Jesus. He was God! It's not realistic for me to try to live like him."

But that's actually not true at all. Okay, it's true that Jesus was God. But the rest isn't right. In the Eucharist, we are given God's gift of God's self. By offering Himself to us in the Eucharist, and by receiving Him, we are divinized. In other words, we are called to become what we receive in the Eucharist. This means -- yes, as hard as it sounds -- being Christ for and with each other. So perhaps, "What would Jesus do?" besides being a little dated, is still the best question we can ask ourselves.

Honestly, very rarely do we need to rack our brains, heart, and soul in a moral decision between something good and something bad. We know -- we really do -- what's ultimately going to help us or hurt us. The tough part is choosing between two goods. Sometimes it's not even a choice between good and better or better and best. It's simply between two (or perhaps more) goods.

Then -- more than ever -- we need to pray. And perhaps my posts on discernment (see Feb. 22 and 23) will be of use to you.

Ultimately, making a moral decision is about informing your conscience and making a prudential judgment about what is in your best interest. This may cause you to differ with friends, family, or even the Church. But the Church has made plain that our consciences are the "voice of God" and the place where we meet with God to learn what is right, true, and good for us. The important thing to remember, however, is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and (most of all) prayer to learn what God wants of us. Developing this habit and ability to make informed, prudential judgments is actually one of the very best things we can do with our time.

Godspeed!

Calling All Questions (and Topics)

It's been a while since I last solicited ideas for our forum, so here's a reminder:

Your thoughts, questions, concerns, comments, and prayers are MOST welcome!

Feel free to post them as a "comment" (see post option below this post) and we can follow up on each other's contributions.

I hope this will continue to be a safe place for people to learn, grow, and journey together on our walk with Christ.

PEACE!

Let Us Pray ...

For What Shall We Pray?

If you have a special intention you'd like us to pray for, please submit it here.

Let us raise one voice in prayer, trusting in the words of Jesus,

"If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."

[John 14:14]

(this isn't by saying the "right" words or using a magical formula; God works through faith!)