“While he was praying …” (Luke 9:27) During my time in Kenya, one of my friends was missioned in Guatemala among the Quechua people. That is a part of the country where people are poor, easily overwhelmed by the authorities in Guatemala City and the provinces, the maze of governmental forms and foreign laws of another culture. Continue reading
Life can be a whirl and flurry to things to do, places to go, people to see – and every one of them good and holy. As you can imagine, the Mass of Belonging took a good amount of effort, attention, and energy. The work and planning began about 4-5 months ahead of the celebration, took a lot of attention of the staff, and the commitment of almost 300 volunteers. While first meeting with the staff and making sure we were committed to the endeavor, I noted that this would be like “trying to rewire a house while keeping the lights on at all times.” Continue reading
There are lots of studies that point to some truth in the adage that practice makes perfect – 10,000 hours of practice to be specific. It is a general number that is consistent across a variety of professions, sports, and skilled activities. Some recent studies in the Netherlands and England is that the benefits of practice are ongoing through the years – not just once a person has become proficient – and that once an elite performer reduces practice, their performance also declines because they practiced less. Continue reading
I’ve been talking to moms, and as it turns out, working moms. One of them gave me a definition of a working mom: “an ongoing experiment to prove that sleep is not essential to human life.” You had to laugh even as you recognized the deeper truth. We are busy people: moms, dads, kids, seniors, young professionals. However you want to classify it, we are busy people. But, this week I have been talking to moms. Here is a composite of a day in the life. Continue reading
When people think of St. Francis of Assisi and prayer, what most likely comes to mind is “The Peace Prayer of St. Francis,” with the memorable line: “Make me an instrument of peace…” It is a moving and noteworthy prayer, certainly in the Franciscan tradition, perhaps inspired by St. Francis, but it dates to 1912 and was first published as a poem in the French spiritual magazine, La Clochette. Later, during World War I, it appeared on the back of a holy card bearing an image of St. Francis and the association of the two became cemented in our minds. Continue reading
I have a pop quiz for you. No, really.. a bible quiz. What was the final verse of last week’s gospel?
It was just last week, we heard Jesus not only tell us what is possible – but we were commanded to strive for that very possibility: “…be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). Be perfect, telios, the Greek word which speaks of wholeness, a completeness, a certain end point, goal or destiny that is ours. “…be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Our destiny, our divine calling – a project for this lifetime. A project that with the grace of God is ours in the here and now – and forever. A project we have already encountered, however briefly, already. Continue reading
Someone asked me why I get up most mornings for 5:30 swim practice – wouldn’t I like an extra hour or so of sleep, or maybe be able to stay up a little later the evening before? Extra sleep – sure. Stay up a little later – maybe. But the basic reason I get up so early is because I am intentional about having some semblance of a balanced life and that includes physical exercise. Once I am back at the parish, the course of the day may go as planned…or not, but I am free to respond without wondering if I can squeeze in a workout later in the day. It is liberating, even if a little bleary-eyed. Continue reading
There is folk wisdom which says never argue with a fool because a third person will not be able to tell the difference. Myself, I am partial to the wisdom from the West of Kenya which says, if you are bathing in the stream and someone steals your clothes don’t chase them. I had to think about that one at first – but in thinking about what the third person sees – it then became clear. Continue reading
You know many of us here at this morning Mass can answer the question: “Where were you when you heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot.” We are in the minority. Most folks here in the United States were not yet born on that fateful day 50 years ago. But we tell the stories of our young war hero president, of his family, of Camelot, and all that made up the Kennedy legend. And we tell the generations that follow.
Today we tell the story of the martyr St. Cecilia. We do not know much about here other than she lived in the 3rd century and died for the faith. We tell the generations that come after us what we know. We tell them she is the patron saint of musicians. Continue reading
Luke 18:9-14. 9 He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Pharisee. The Pharisees were not villains. Continue reading
friarmusings 