Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars,
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth,
who sustains us
with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.
We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon,
for love of You bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You thanks,
and serve You in all humility.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Man He Didn't Have To Be: St. Joseph
Today is the Feast of St. Joseph. While it is a big day for the Italians (What St. Patrick's Day for the "Irish Americans"), it is a feast day that doesn't get much attention outside of that ethnic group. This is something that needs to change.
St. Joseph is a very important figure that receives very little credit in the gospels. In the two accounts that even mention him, he has not a single word attributed to him. His death or existence beyond the twelfth year of Jesus are not mentioned. He is stoic and silent. Yet, his actions speak the loudest in the infancy narratives. Here are some key examples:
1) Joseph could have divorced Mary or had her stoned, even after the angel of the Lord told him that Mary was telling the truth about the divine conception.
2) Joseph risked his life to save his family and leaving all that he knew behind in order to flee into Egypt for seven years.
3) Joseph does not get angry or show any sign of heartbreak when twelve-year old Jesus tells his parents that he was at his "Father's House" when talking about his stay at the Temple.
Joseph did not have to be the foster father to Jesus. He didn't even have to care about Jesus at all. He could have been a deadbeat dad. But he wasn't. Instead, he loved Jesus as if he was his biological son. He taught Jesus what he needed to know as he grew up. While the gospels don't say any of this, the proof can be found in the man Jesus was as he began his ministry. He was a smart, talented, carpenter, who knew his scripture and loved God with all his heart and mind, much like Joseph.
So on this feast day to Joseph, we honor the man who helped to shape the man who would be our Savior.
St. Joseph is a very important figure that receives very little credit in the gospels. In the two accounts that even mention him, he has not a single word attributed to him. His death or existence beyond the twelfth year of Jesus are not mentioned. He is stoic and silent. Yet, his actions speak the loudest in the infancy narratives. Here are some key examples:
1) Joseph could have divorced Mary or had her stoned, even after the angel of the Lord told him that Mary was telling the truth about the divine conception.
2) Joseph risked his life to save his family and leaving all that he knew behind in order to flee into Egypt for seven years.
3) Joseph does not get angry or show any sign of heartbreak when twelve-year old Jesus tells his parents that he was at his "Father's House" when talking about his stay at the Temple.
Joseph did not have to be the foster father to Jesus. He didn't even have to care about Jesus at all. He could have been a deadbeat dad. But he wasn't. Instead, he loved Jesus as if he was his biological son. He taught Jesus what he needed to know as he grew up. While the gospels don't say any of this, the proof can be found in the man Jesus was as he began his ministry. He was a smart, talented, carpenter, who knew his scripture and loved God with all his heart and mind, much like Joseph.
So on this feast day to Joseph, we honor the man who helped to shape the man who would be our Savior.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
References
Jesus said to the Jews:
“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.
But there is another who testifies on my behalf,
and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept human testimony,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John’s.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
and you do not have his word remaining in you,
because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.
“I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:
the one who will accuse you is Moses,
in whom you have placed your hope.
For if you had believed Moses,
you would have believed me,
because he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe my words?” - Jn. 5:31-47
Today's gospel is a continuation of yesterday's. Jesus continues to explain why is he the way he is. Yesterday it was all about what power does he have to perform miracles and teach. Today, Jesus turns his attention towards those who attack his supposed "lack" of credentials for being the Son of God.
Jesus refuses to toot his own horn. He instead calls upon John the Baptist and God as his references. He even tells them that the scriptures, their bread and butter, further prove he is who he says he is. Jesus calls them out, because even with the evidence stacked in his favor, the Pharisees and scribes refuse to accept him as the Son of God. He tells them it does not bode well for them if they can't even accept the very thing their lives are based upon, the holy scriptures. He ends by posing a question that drives most of his ministry. If you don't believe what you do see, how can you believe what you don't?
The Pharisees and scribes still exist in today's society. They are those who believe science can explain everything, or that suffering is the result of God's wrath. They exploit others and insult their intelligence. They don't recognize the presence of God in front of them and when the hour comes for the final judgement, it will be too late. That is the exact opposite of faith. Faith is believing in something even if you do not have current physical evidence to prove it. It is relying on the unknown or invisible to show their existence in due time. This is what Jesus expects from us, his followers 2,000 years after his death and resurrection.
We should also be like Jesus when it comes to his humility in this situation. He could have easily performed another miracle right there on the spot or have God come down again with blinding light, but Jesus relies only on the testimony of those on Earth, John the Baptist and the prophets of the scriptures. He refuses to brag or gloat. Instead he stands up for himself and proves himself without needing to make a big show of it. How often is our defense when our authority/identity is questioned to puff up our chests and list our achievements or even intimidate those who question us? We should be more like Jesus, by defending ourselves by the reputation we earn and deserve rather than the one we feel we are entitled to.
“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.
But there is another who testifies on my behalf,
and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept human testimony,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John’s.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
and you do not have his word remaining in you,
because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.
“I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:
the one who will accuse you is Moses,
in whom you have placed your hope.
For if you had believed Moses,
you would have believed me,
because he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe my words?” - Jn. 5:31-47
Today's gospel is a continuation of yesterday's. Jesus continues to explain why is he the way he is. Yesterday it was all about what power does he have to perform miracles and teach. Today, Jesus turns his attention towards those who attack his supposed "lack" of credentials for being the Son of God.
Jesus refuses to toot his own horn. He instead calls upon John the Baptist and God as his references. He even tells them that the scriptures, their bread and butter, further prove he is who he says he is. Jesus calls them out, because even with the evidence stacked in his favor, the Pharisees and scribes refuse to accept him as the Son of God. He tells them it does not bode well for them if they can't even accept the very thing their lives are based upon, the holy scriptures. He ends by posing a question that drives most of his ministry. If you don't believe what you do see, how can you believe what you don't?
The Pharisees and scribes still exist in today's society. They are those who believe science can explain everything, or that suffering is the result of God's wrath. They exploit others and insult their intelligence. They don't recognize the presence of God in front of them and when the hour comes for the final judgement, it will be too late. That is the exact opposite of faith. Faith is believing in something even if you do not have current physical evidence to prove it. It is relying on the unknown or invisible to show their existence in due time. This is what Jesus expects from us, his followers 2,000 years after his death and resurrection.
We should also be like Jesus when it comes to his humility in this situation. He could have easily performed another miracle right there on the spot or have God come down again with blinding light, but Jesus relies only on the testimony of those on Earth, John the Baptist and the prophets of the scriptures. He refuses to brag or gloat. Instead he stands up for himself and proves himself without needing to make a big show of it. How often is our defense when our authority/identity is questioned to puff up our chests and list our achievements or even intimidate those who question us? We should be more like Jesus, by defending ourselves by the reputation we earn and deserve rather than the one we feel we are entitled to.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Like Father, Like Son
Jesus answered the Jews:
“My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.”
For this reason they tried all the more to kill him,
because he not only broke the sabbath
but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own,
but only what he sees the Father doing;
for what he does, the Son will do also.
For the Father loves the Son
and shows him everything that he himself does,
and he will show him greater works than these,
so that you may be amazed.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life,
so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.
Nor does the Father judge anyone,
but he has given all judgment to the Son,
so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
Whoever does not honor the Son
does not honor the Father who sent him.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word
and believes in the one who sent me
has eternal life and will not come to condemnation,
but has passed from death to life.
Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here
when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God,
and those who hear will live.
For just as the Father has life in himself,
so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself.
And he gave him power to exercise judgment,
because he is the Son of Man.
Do not be amazed at this,
because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs
will hear his voice and will come out,
those who have done good deeds
to the resurrection of life,
but those who have done wicked deeds
to the resurrection of condemnation.
“I cannot do anything on my own;
I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just,
because I do not seek my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.” - Jn. 5:17-30
Today's gospel is Jesus's defense against those who questioned on what authority he performed his miracles or taught the people. Jesus tells them, just as God the Father does, so does he, Jesus, the Son of the Father. He repeats though, that he acts not of his own will, but rather the will of the Father. This is an important aspect, because in 15 days, Jesus will ask God to allow him to forgo his will just once and escape the destiny of suffering and death that awaits him in a few hours. However, just as he does here, Jesus then says that he accepts the will of God and will only do what God wants, even if it might go against his own will.
How often do we accept the Father's will over own? Let's be honest, the answer is not enough. We want to do the right thing, but we also want to play it safe and not run any risks that might come from surrending our lives of God. We need to be more like Jesus and open ourselves to the will of the Father. Who knows, the reward might just be infintely better than the alternative.
“My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.”
For this reason they tried all the more to kill him,
because he not only broke the sabbath
but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own,
but only what he sees the Father doing;
for what he does, the Son will do also.
For the Father loves the Son
and shows him everything that he himself does,
and he will show him greater works than these,
so that you may be amazed.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life,
so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.
Nor does the Father judge anyone,
but he has given all judgment to the Son,
so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
Whoever does not honor the Son
does not honor the Father who sent him.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word
and believes in the one who sent me
has eternal life and will not come to condemnation,
but has passed from death to life.
Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here
when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God,
and those who hear will live.
For just as the Father has life in himself,
so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself.
And he gave him power to exercise judgment,
because he is the Son of Man.
Do not be amazed at this,
because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs
will hear his voice and will come out,
those who have done good deeds
to the resurrection of life,
but those who have done wicked deeds
to the resurrection of condemnation.
“I cannot do anything on my own;
I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just,
because I do not seek my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.” - Jn. 5:17-30
Today's gospel is Jesus's defense against those who questioned on what authority he performed his miracles or taught the people. Jesus tells them, just as God the Father does, so does he, Jesus, the Son of the Father. He repeats though, that he acts not of his own will, but rather the will of the Father. This is an important aspect, because in 15 days, Jesus will ask God to allow him to forgo his will just once and escape the destiny of suffering and death that awaits him in a few hours. However, just as he does here, Jesus then says that he accepts the will of God and will only do what God wants, even if it might go against his own will.
How often do we accept the Father's will over own? Let's be honest, the answer is not enough. We want to do the right thing, but we also want to play it safe and not run any risks that might come from surrending our lives of God. We need to be more like Jesus and open ourselves to the will of the Father. Who knows, the reward might just be infintely better than the alternative.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
"C.S. Lewis Song" - Brooke Fraser
If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,
then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me
Am I lost or just found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,
then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me
Am I lost or just found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming
Monday, March 15, 2010
Seeing Is Not Believing
At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,
since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;
for they themselves had gone to the feast.
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,
where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,
he went to him and asked him to come down
and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
While the man was on his way back,
his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
He asked them when he began to recover.
They told him,
“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”
and he and his whole household came to believe.
Now this was the second sign Jesus did
when he came to Galilee from Judea. - Jn 4:43-54
Today's gospel can be seen as one with a mixed message. Jesus heals the royal official's son, but not before saying "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." Does Jesus really want someone who only believes what they see? Well as we later see after the resurrection, Jesus had to deal with these kinds of people even amongst his apostles (Thomas), so it would seem that Jesus is at least open to these kind of people.
So what makes him say it at this point then to the royal official? One possible reason: Exhaustion. Jesus is just starting his 3 year mission, and already it is getting crazy. First was the baptism and then the 40 days in the desert, followed by the temptation by the Devil, then the calling of the apostles, the miracle at Cana, being run out of his hometown of Nazareth, and now everyone wants to see this miracle man. Just thinking about doing all of this stuff makes one tired! So Jesus is probably just getting tired/adjusted to all the attention, especially from those seeking instant gratification to all their problems/desires. He wants to help those that really need it and have faith, but all these people will get faith once their dreams have come true.
Now the official does not waste a moment to reflect on Jesus' rebuke. Instead he just continues to ask for the intercession on his child's behalf. Jesus tells the man his son will be fine and before the man can even see for himself, his servants reveal that his son has made it out alright. The official had now become a true believer since he took Jesus at his word and did not need to see his son to actually believe his servants' report.
How often do we trust in the Lord, or anyone for that matter, at face value? We are so quick to doubt others that we almost have to "see to believe" in fear that we could possibly get hurt or cheated if we have full faith in those around us. We need to learn to trust others with all of heart and all of our mind. Yes, sometimes people might try to take advantage of us, but that is a risk that we must take if we really want to develop true faith in the Lord.
For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,
since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;
for they themselves had gone to the feast.
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,
where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,
he went to him and asked him to come down
and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
While the man was on his way back,
his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
He asked them when he began to recover.
They told him,
“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”
and he and his whole household came to believe.
Now this was the second sign Jesus did
when he came to Galilee from Judea. - Jn 4:43-54
Today's gospel can be seen as one with a mixed message. Jesus heals the royal official's son, but not before saying "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." Does Jesus really want someone who only believes what they see? Well as we later see after the resurrection, Jesus had to deal with these kinds of people even amongst his apostles (Thomas), so it would seem that Jesus is at least open to these kind of people.
So what makes him say it at this point then to the royal official? One possible reason: Exhaustion. Jesus is just starting his 3 year mission, and already it is getting crazy. First was the baptism and then the 40 days in the desert, followed by the temptation by the Devil, then the calling of the apostles, the miracle at Cana, being run out of his hometown of Nazareth, and now everyone wants to see this miracle man. Just thinking about doing all of this stuff makes one tired! So Jesus is probably just getting tired/adjusted to all the attention, especially from those seeking instant gratification to all their problems/desires. He wants to help those that really need it and have faith, but all these people will get faith once their dreams have come true.
Now the official does not waste a moment to reflect on Jesus' rebuke. Instead he just continues to ask for the intercession on his child's behalf. Jesus tells the man his son will be fine and before the man can even see for himself, his servants reveal that his son has made it out alright. The official had now become a true believer since he took Jesus at his word and did not need to see his son to actually believe his servants' report.
How often do we trust in the Lord, or anyone for that matter, at face value? We are so quick to doubt others that we almost have to "see to believe" in fear that we could possibly get hurt or cheated if we have full faith in those around us. We need to learn to trust others with all of heart and all of our mind. Yes, sometimes people might try to take advantage of us, but that is a risk that we must take if we really want to develop true faith in the Lord.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Other Side To The Prodigal Son
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’” – Lk. 15:1-3, 11-32
Today’s gospel is the parable of the Prodigal Son. This is one of the most famous parables and one that people today still struggle with. I am a believer that this parable has a meaning that is deeper than what many see.
The idea that God is always forgiving and rejoices when we return to him isn’t so much the challenging aspect, but rather how the father treats the “good” son. When I go over the parable with my Sophomores, they always have the same reaction as that son. “That is unfair,” they say. They argue that the son who stayed loyal to his father is being taken for granted and unappreciated. They don’t understand how a nice guy could finish last in a story from a man who says to always do the right thing. They are no different that the Pharisees and scribes that caused Jesus to tell this story.
We as a society get so wrapped up in doing the right thing for a reward that we really aren’t doing the right thing, but rather the thing that gets us what we want. We know that if we do good we are rewarded. Do bad, and we are punished. It is from the animalistic nature in us that we learn this truth. But what separates us from other animals, is our desire to do good because we want to do good even without the need for reward or acknowledgement.
What Jesus is saying is that it is not the act of doing goodness that is to be rewarded, but rather the understanding of why certain acts are good. The Prodigal Son returns not in hopes of being welcomed back into the family, but rather to seek assistance as a lowly servant to his father. The other son stays with the father because he knows that he will receive his inheritance (reward), and wants to look good compared to his sinful, fallen brother. Both sons are attempting to do the right thing, but it is the sinner that has sought forgiveness because he knew he was wrong that is rewarded in the parable.
Let us not focus on the reward or even the concept of being rewarded. Let us instead focus on doing what God wants us to do because it is what he wants us to do. Acts of kindness are what God expects of us. Let us go beyond the minimum in order to bring about the Kingdom of God, which is the best thing we can do in this life.
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’” – Lk. 15:1-3, 11-32
Today’s gospel is the parable of the Prodigal Son. This is one of the most famous parables and one that people today still struggle with. I am a believer that this parable has a meaning that is deeper than what many see.
The idea that God is always forgiving and rejoices when we return to him isn’t so much the challenging aspect, but rather how the father treats the “good” son. When I go over the parable with my Sophomores, they always have the same reaction as that son. “That is unfair,” they say. They argue that the son who stayed loyal to his father is being taken for granted and unappreciated. They don’t understand how a nice guy could finish last in a story from a man who says to always do the right thing. They are no different that the Pharisees and scribes that caused Jesus to tell this story.
We as a society get so wrapped up in doing the right thing for a reward that we really aren’t doing the right thing, but rather the thing that gets us what we want. We know that if we do good we are rewarded. Do bad, and we are punished. It is from the animalistic nature in us that we learn this truth. But what separates us from other animals, is our desire to do good because we want to do good even without the need for reward or acknowledgement.
What Jesus is saying is that it is not the act of doing goodness that is to be rewarded, but rather the understanding of why certain acts are good. The Prodigal Son returns not in hopes of being welcomed back into the family, but rather to seek assistance as a lowly servant to his father. The other son stays with the father because he knows that he will receive his inheritance (reward), and wants to look good compared to his sinful, fallen brother. Both sons are attempting to do the right thing, but it is the sinner that has sought forgiveness because he knew he was wrong that is rewarded in the parable.
Let us not focus on the reward or even the concept of being rewarded. Let us instead focus on doing what God wants us to do because it is what he wants us to do. Acts of kindness are what God expects of us. Let us go beyond the minimum in order to bring about the Kingdom of God, which is the best thing we can do in this life.
The Other Side To The Prodigal Son
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’” – Lk. 15:1-3, 11-32
Today’s gospel is the parable of the Prodigal Son. This is one of the most famous parables and one that people today still struggle with. I am a believer that this parable has a meaning that is deeper than what many see.
The idea that God is always forgiving and rejoices when we return to him isn’t so much the challenging aspect, but rather how the father treats the “good” son. When I go over the parable with my Sophomores, they always have the same reaction as that son. “That is unfair,” they say. They argue that the son who stayed loyal to his father is being taken for granted and unappreciated. They don’t understand how a nice guy could finish last in a story from a man who says to always do the right thing. They are no different that the Pharisees and scribes that caused Jesus to tell this story.
We as a society get so wrapped up in doing the right thing for a reward that we really aren’t doing the right thing, but rather the thing that gets us what we want. We know that if we do good we are rewarded. Do bad, and we are punished. It is from the animalistic nature in us that we learn this truth. But what separates us from other animals, is our desire to do good because we want to do good even without the need for reward or acknowledgement.
What Jesus is saying is that it is not the act of doing goodness that is to be rewarded, but rather the understanding of why certain acts are good. The Prodigal Son returns not in hopes of being welcomed back into the family, but rather to seek assistance as a lowly servant to his father. The other son stays with the father because he knows that he will receive his inheritance (reward), and wants to look good compared to his sinful, fallen brother. Both sons are attempting to do the right thing, but it is the sinner that has sought forgiveness because he knew he was wrong that is rewarded in the parable.
Let us not focus on the reward or even the concept of being rewarded. Let us instead focus on doing what God wants us to do because it is what he wants us to do. Acts of kindness are what God expects of us. Let us go beyond the minimum in order to bring about the Kingdom of God, which is the best thing we can do in this life.
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’” – Lk. 15:1-3, 11-32
Today’s gospel is the parable of the Prodigal Son. This is one of the most famous parables and one that people today still struggle with. I am a believer that this parable has a meaning that is deeper than what many see.
The idea that God is always forgiving and rejoices when we return to him isn’t so much the challenging aspect, but rather how the father treats the “good” son. When I go over the parable with my Sophomores, they always have the same reaction as that son. “That is unfair,” they say. They argue that the son who stayed loyal to his father is being taken for granted and unappreciated. They don’t understand how a nice guy could finish last in a story from a man who says to always do the right thing. They are no different that the Pharisees and scribes that caused Jesus to tell this story.
We as a society get so wrapped up in doing the right thing for a reward that we really aren’t doing the right thing, but rather the thing that gets us what we want. We know that if we do good we are rewarded. Do bad, and we are punished. It is from the animalistic nature in us that we learn this truth. But what separates us from other animals, is our desire to do good because we want to do good even without the need for reward or acknowledgement.
What Jesus is saying is that it is not the act of doing goodness that is to be rewarded, but rather the understanding of why certain acts are good. The Prodigal Son returns not in hopes of being welcomed back into the family, but rather to seek assistance as a lowly servant to his father. The other son stays with the father because he knows that he will receive his inheritance (reward), and wants to look good compared to his sinful, fallen brother. Both sons are attempting to do the right thing, but it is the sinner that has sought forgiveness because he knew he was wrong that is rewarded in the parable.
Let us not focus on the reward or even the concept of being rewarded. Let us instead focus on doing what God wants us to do because it is what he wants us to do. Acts of kindness are what God expects of us. Let us go beyond the minimum in order to bring about the Kingdom of God, which is the best thing we can do in this life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)