Weekend Reflections for 11/18/16

On Sunday we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. The Gospel shows Jesus on the cross, encouraging Dismas, the good thief: "Today you will be with me in Paradise." http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112016.cfm

On this feast, why don't we hear about His triumph and victory instead of His suffering and death? This is our King? His actions tell us, "If you choose me as your king, I will die a humiliating death for you." This is his platform? How many votes would he get with a message like that? In fact, many of Jesus' sayings sound rather curious: "Take up your cross and follow me;" "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be killed;" "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you because of me."

In the Roman Empire, the classic promise from leadership was "bread and circus." Caesar and his associates will keep you fed and entertained. What more could you want? Safety and prosperity: this is what we all desire, right? Life is more than bread and circus. And we see the ugly underbelly of Ceasar's empire in the crucifixion: Jesus was killed as an enemy of the state. His Kingship threatened Caesar's kingship. The cross was meant as a cruel lesson-- this is what happens to the enemies of the empire.

Our King, Jesus, is with us in our suffering. He walks with us when we carry our crosses. He doesn't promise us a perfect, pain-free life. Rather, Jesus shows us that He knows what it is like to be tired, hurt and misunderstood. He walked this earth because He loved us. He carried His cross and died to save us. He doesn't promise to remove all suffering but to redeem us by entering into our lives-- precisely in our embarrassment and sorrow. He preaches words of hope to us from His cross: "Take up your cross and follow me...and you will be with me in paradise." His title is Emmanuel, which means, 'God with us.'

Jesus Christ is my King and He is with me. He is a gentle king who wants to reign in our hearts. He does not so much conquer us as 'win us over' to His glorious Kingship. This is our King: He was born in a manger, died on a cross, and rose from the tomb to eternal life. He wants to be with me now and in eternal paradise. As Christians, our deepest allegiance is to Him. We are true citizens of His Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven. Christians did not so much defeat the Roman Empire, as transform it from within. Their faithful witness, in the midst of Caesar's crosses and lions, won the hearts of a nation for Him. These tiny mustard seeds flourished into a Christian garden that spread around the world.W

We praise You, Christ our King! We welcome you and join your joyful band! O Come, O Come Emmanuel! Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven!

Fr Joe Laramie, SJ

Weekend Reflections for 11/11/16

This was a shocking week in the United States. After months of campaigning and national debate, Donald Trump was elected president, defeating Hillary Clinton. For many of us, this feels like an earthquake. But what kind of earthquake? Is it a disaster-- tearing down important American structures and traditions? Or is this a deep rumbling from the people-- renewing the political landscape for better forms of leadership? 

In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus speaks of "wars and insurrections, earthquakes, awesome sights and mighty signs." Is He talking about the end of time or a new beginning? Destruction or renewal? Jesus assures us, again and again, "Do not be terrified." Do not be afraid.  He Himself will give us "a wisdom in speaking" that our enemies "will be powerless to resist." "Not a hair on your head will be destroyed" amidst the confusion and strife we may face. 

Christ is with us today, yesterday, and forever. During Jesus' time on earth, the world was a place of calamity and disagreement, of persecutors and persecuted. In many ways, it doesn't matter who is in charge of our political systems. No matter what, we are obliged to pray for our leaders. Some of their policies will support Gospel principles, and some will not. No matter who is president, Christ is the eternal, loving King who died for us. No matter what, we are called to persevere in prayer, receive the sacraments and perform works of mercy. We must comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Some politicians are better than others, of course. But in the United States, few of our elected officials were as good as people hoped for nor as bad as people feared. None are perfect and none are perfectly wicked. As Christians, this calls us not to cynicism but to engagement; neither to elation nor despair, but to a clear-eyed trust in Him. In all of this, we look for signs of His Kingdom breaking through-- in a modern saint, a newborn child, a sunrise. We seek Him in small acts of kindness, and we serve Him in heroic acts of sacrifice. All the King's men and women must love and serve, encourage and preach, prophesy and prepare for persecution. Jesus is the Rising Sun, prophesied in the first reading. He is the "Sun of Justice with His healing rays." His Light purifies me and strengthens me, warms me and sanctifies me.  

Christians run toward disasters, not away from them. There we'll find the victims; there we'll help them and serve them. There we'll clear the rubble, for those buildings were not made to last forever. There we'll find the King who is already healing the wounded and building His Kingdom. 

Fr Joe Laramie SJ

Weekend Reflections for 11/4/16

Autumn is in full bloom on the banks of the Mississippi River at White House Jesuit Retreat. The gold and red leaves quiver in the breeze and blow in the wind. It is as if nature were falling asleep before our eyes, preparing for death. A few months from now, the same trees will blossom with new leaves, new flowers, and new life.

A few days ago, we celebrated All Souls days-- praying that our friends and family members would be welcomed by the Lord into His eternal Kingdom. In November, the natural world helps us to ponder the spiritual world, as we look to Christ to bring the dead to eternal life.

Sunday’s Gospel begins with a story-- as the Saducees try to ‘Stump the Messiah.’ “There were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third…” The Saducees were a faction of Jews that did not believe in resurrection; they did not believe in any sort of afterlife, it seems. They present an absurd story to Jesus to trip Him up: “At the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?”

Jesus hears their question, and then He points us to the Kingdom. His Kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. Nor is Christ the King is like the kings of this earth. His Kingdom begins here and is fulfilled in Heaven. In Him, the Father deems us worthy to “attain to the coming age” -- that is, to live in His Kingdom now and in the life to come. His plan is that we, too, will experience a bodily resurrection. Jesus died and rose again; He has a Risen Body now. In Him, we will, too. He is like the first tree of autumn to lose its leaves. In Easter spring, His Risen Body brims with life and power. The Risen Jesus is even more fully human than we are. He is the eternal Tree of Life, pouring out life and food for us. Even now, the Eucharist is that seed of eternal life that He offers us at each Mass. This "fruit of the earth and work of human hands" becomes for us the Bread of Life. As this divine seed is buried in us at Communion, more and more we are drawn into His dying and rising.

In this sense, Christian funerals are an experience of trust and hope. We mourn the dead, while in faith we celebrate their entrance into eternal life. We impatiently await the final day when our cemeteries will be emptied, and our risen bodies will be reunited with our spirits. The Saducees try to stump the Messiah. But He is Tree of Life is not a dead and lifeless stump. We are sons and daughters of Heavenly Father. Christ reaches out to pull us out of the grave of sin and death, drawing us into the King’s embrace of life eternal.  

Fr Joe Laramie, SJ 

Weekend Reflections for 10/28/16

Allowing God to Surprise Us 

In the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus in this Sunday's Gospel we have in a way an example of how "curiosity did not kill the cat," but rather saved it. Zacchaeus, a despised local tax collector of Jericho, had obviously heard a lot about Jesus, his marvelous deeds of healing, his preaching and his manner of dealing with every kind of person, regardless of their status or what their reputation might be. It seems that all Zacchaeus wanted to do was to see this person. Given the large crowd that assembled on the streets Jesus was traveling, he did the only thing he could do to accomplish this. So, he climbed up a Sycamore tree. 

And then when he does view him, to his great surprise he sees Jesus also looking up at him. Then to his astonishment Jesus addresses him, and asks to come to his home. Although the Scripture says nothing about this, evidently as Jesus accompanied Zacchaeus to his house and conversed with him, Zacchaeus eyes of faith were opened, and he realizes that indeed Jesus has come to bring forgiveness and life to all of the lost sheep of Israel, including himself.

Zacchaeus does not seem to question why or how such a great thing could happen to him but instead makes the most of the gift of this wonderful surprise. He knows in his heart what Jesus desires of him and the kind of life he is calling him to, and he's most willing to make the most of this opportunity.

I believe that most of us, perhaps all of us, are at times surprised about how God comes into our lives with the gift of his mercy, forgiveness and love.  When this happens, it is not the time to say to yourself, why me or how can this be?  Rather let us pray that we be like little children who rejoice being surprised, accept the gift and with unquestioning gratitude receive the gift and make the most of it.

Fr. Jim Blumeyer, S.J.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

 PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

Weekend Reflections for 10/21/16

In the very poignant parable in this Sunday’s Gospel of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus’ point is so clear that the less said about it the better. What else stands out for me, besides it’s obvious message , is the very simple prayer of the tax collector: ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’  As I mentioned in the reflection a few weeks ago, I have the privilege of hearing a lot of confessions.  A challenge for many people is what is known as the act of contrition. 

Many people years ago have learned a somewhat long and involved prayer.  My concern is that in their attempt to remember it they do not appreciate the main import of the prayer. For me it is simply to tell God I very sorry for my sins, I ask for your forgiveness, and I will endeavor to avoid these evils in the future. In its own way I see the tax collector’s prayer doing this. Evidently Jesus did as well because he says that the person went away justified.

However in my confession work I do hear many other kinds of contrition prayers which for me are quite adequate. For example:

a) Oh my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.

b. Oh God,  I am heartily sorry for my sins.  I love you very much and I will try to do better.

c. Oh my God I'm sorry for my sins in choosing to do wrong and failing to do good.

d.  I have sinned against you and your Church, and I firmly intend, with the my help of your Son, to make up for my sins and to love as I should.

It is also noteworthy to me that the tax collector does not spell out what his sins are. Also in other places in the gospel when Jesus forgives sins, he too seeks no such enumeration. For legitimate pastoral reasons our church does ask us to mentioned them out as well as we can.  But Jesus’ example reminds us that the heart of the matter is acknowledging the fact that I am a sinner in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness; and I beg and pray for this.

Jim Blumeyer, SJ

Weekend Reflections for 10/14/16

When Do I Pray?  Why Do I Pray?  Is It “Good” Prayer?

I have the privilege of talking to many people about their prayer life and experiences in prayer. Very often some of them will tell me that they do not pray well or that they don’t know how to pray or pray well. So I will ask them to describe to me their manner of praying. Some will say that they always talk to God in the morning thanking the Lord for another day of life, perhaps adding that in the evening they review their day and talk to the Lord about that. Others will tell me that very frequently during the day when they have some free time they will speak to the Lord about what’s going on, seeking advice, direction, expressing gratitude, asking for the well-being of someone who is sick or needs assistance.  I tell them that in my estimation what they are doing is good prayer.

Some people don’t appreciate their prayer or have a high regard of it because they say that they often pray only when they need something or want help. In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus speaks to this. In the parable about the widow and the judge his teaching is clear: God always hears us when we pray to God in need.  Emphasizing this Jesus gives the parable of a defenseless widow importuning an indifferent and dishonest judge.  The judge finally relents “because this widow keeps bothering me.” Jesus’ message is clear:  if an unjust judge relents “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?”

For me good prayer is being able to talk and listen to God on a regular basis, familiarly, direct and honest. Sometimes it is just being able to sit quietly with the Lord, knowing and appreciating that the Lord is with you, as well as appreciating the gift of your life in the creation around you.  Say Ignatius would say that good prayer is any manner of praying that allows us to be with and talk to the Lord as you would with a good friend.

Weekend Reflections for 10/7/16

The Grateful Samaritan, the Very Human Jesus

Sunday's Gospel on the healing of the 10 lepers tells me much about the humanity of Jesus. He was disappointed or hurt that nine of those healed did not return to express their gratitude. But also he was surprised that the one who did was a Samaritan. In the Gospels there are number of episodes about Jesus dealings with Samaritans.

In John's Gospel (4, 5-30) there is the intriguing story of Jesus with the woman at the well.  This conversation changes her into one of the first to proclaim how remarkable Jesus is.  There is his encounter with the Syro-Phoenician woman (Mark 7:25-30/Matthew 15:21-28) whose great faith convinced him despite his initial reluctance that he should heal her daughter.  There is his encounter with the Jewish leaders (Luke 7,1-10) of a certain village. They told him that the Roman centurion was indeed worthy of his consideration. Then after Jesus experiences this man's great faith, he is convinced that his servant was worthy of his merciful healing. 

And so when it comes to the healing of the 10 lepers there was no hesitation on the part of Jesus to heal them all, even though one was not an Israelite. His decision was confirmed and reinforced when this man alone came back to express his gratitude and appreciation.

Jesus it seems had to learn how to overcome the prejudices regarding Samaritans he had innocently taken on in his upbringing. I believe most, if not all of us, have the same issues and challenges, and the same need of eye-opening experiences which reveal to us our prejudices, the misconceptions of our beliefs. I also believe that in this day and age of our world and its relationships, we can all see how vitally important this type of conversion is. May our good Lord give us the humility, honesty, courage and faith this requires.

Jim Blumeyer, S.J.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

Weekend Reflections for 9/30/16

“If you have faith…..”

Recently a retreatant asked me without much qualification what I thought about death.  So I simply said that I know it is going to come, but right now I don’t know when, and as a result I don’t think of it or worry about it very much. Then she pressed me on what I thought life or existence would be like after dying. In essence I replied that I expected to be with all my loved ones enjoying the love and life of the risen Jesus. For me this is what my faith in the risen Christ perhaps most to me means to me. This is what all of his life, death and resurrection say to me.

Jesus has promised us that if we are faithful to him he will always be with us. Often when he spoke about the Kingdom to come he described it like a great banquet, a royal wedding feast. And, of course, many might say or ask, how can you be so sure? For me this is the great gift of faith we receive in our belief and dedication to the way in life of Jesus Christ. For me this is a faith, as Jesus says in this Sunday’s Gospel, that in a way can move mountains, and that it can only come as a loving gift of Jesus.

Jim Blumeyer, S.J.

Weekend Reflections for 9/23/16

Lazarus, the wealthy, and us (U.S.A.)

Once again this week, our White House experiences of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius have much to do with the other White House which will soon be home to new leadership.

In this context, our Jesuit provincial superior, Fr. Ron Mercier, S.J., asks Jesuits and our colleagues to create that space of civil discourse which allows for true democratic dialogue and lets the foundational principles of our faith inform the ways we ponder and speak to one another about the tough choices we face.[i]

This week we consider Fr. Ron's suggestion that "we promote the teaching of the church as a resource for our political and social reflections" in this campaign season. Sunday's bible readings about poor Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31), as well as St. Paul's words of wisdom to Timothy (1 Timothy 6:11-16) speak clearly to us today in the quest for civil discourse in our political decision making to "pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for faith." 

Accustomed as White House retreatants are with the Ignatian practice of Examen, perhaps we can take up these bible passages as part of our daily examen prayer as well as our celebration at the Eucharistic table this Sunday and for the coming week.

[i] Please see Fr. Mercier's August 15, 2016 suggestions on this topic at http://jesuitscentralsouthern.org/news-detail?TN=NEWS-20160817014921

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

Weekend Reflections for 9/16/16

This Sunday's gospel (Luke 16: 1-13) challenges us to virtuous stewardship, making tough choices in life and even in our in our current political situation. Jesus challenges us to be trustworthy stewards when we face such decisions, growing in the virtuous values of the only master that matters: "You cannot serve both God and mammon."  

Once again this week, our White House experiences of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius indeed have much to do with the other White House which will soon be home to new leadership.

In this context, our Jesuit provincial superior, Fr. Ron Mercier, S.J., asks Jesuits and our colleagues to create that space of civil discourse which allows for true democratic dialogue and lets the foundational principles of our faith inform the ways we ponder and speak to one another about the tough choices we face.[i]

This week we consider Fr. Ron's suggestion that "we model civil discourse, open to understanding even when we do not agree... The important task is to nurture understanding. The website launched by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, www.civilizeit.us offers helpful insights along these lines."  

Accustomed as White House retreatants are with the Ignatian practice of Examen, perhaps we can take up Fr. Ron's suggestion as part of our daily examen prayer this Sunday and for the coming week. Next week we will continue this examen with a final suggestion from Fr. Provincial. 

[i] Please see Fr. Mercier's August 15, 2016 suggestions on this topic at http://jesuitscentralsouthern.org/news-detail?TN=NEWS-20160817014921

Weekend Reflections for 9/9/16

This Sunday's gospel (Luke 15:1-32) challenges us to serve as agents of forgiveness and reconciliation in our current political situation. 

Our White House experiences of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius indeed have something to do with the other White House which will soon be home to new leadership.

In this context, our Jesuit provincial superior, Fr. Ron Mercier, S.J., asks Jesuits and our colleagues to create that space of civil discourse which allows for true democratic dialogue and lets the foundational principles of our faith inform the ways we ponder and speak to one another about the grave challenges we face.[i]

Fr. Ron suggests we consider how "All of us are affected by the racial, political and religious divisions in our society, and these can even affect our communities. Each of us needs to ask where we are tempted to judge others or to close ourselves to hearing one another. How does God call us to conversion of heart, thought, and speech during this time? Charged moments like this can help us hear God's voice."

Accustomed as White House retreatants are with the Ignatian practice of Examen, perhaps we can take up Fr. Ron's questions as part of our daily examen prayer this Sunday and for the coming week. In the next two weeks we will continue this examen with some further suggestions from Fr. Provincial.

[i] Please see Fr. Mercier's August 15, 2016 suggestions on this topic at http://jesuitscentralsouthern.org/news-detail?TN=NEWS-20160817014921

Weekend Reflections for 9/2/16

An Ignatian Spirituality of MercyWorks for Labor Day.

Image courtesy of The Catholic Worker

As we move along into Labor Day weekend, when many of us have an extra day off, Sunday's bible readings invite us to reflect back on the gift of the Spiritual Exercises we have experienced at White House and look forward to how we might better collaborate in building on these profound spiritual foundations.  In the Exercises St. Ignatius encourages us to see God at work all around us, to "find God in all things" even, or maybe even especially, in our work. And as always, Ignatius invites us to respond. Sunday's bible readings challenge us to put discipleship at the foundations of all else that we labor for, not as slaves, but as co-workers, partners in building the kingdom.

While in times past human labor may have been considered more as a curse (Gen 3:17) than a blessing, Pope John Paul II gives us a profound reflection on the positive Christian meaning of work in his encyclical Laborem Exercens (On Human Work)[i] , developing a spirituality of work and encouraging the same solidarity with labor that his predecessor Pope Leo XIII taught 90 years earlier in his pathfinding Rerum Novarum. Both of these gospel-based church teachings stress the rights of workers and labor organizations and the duties of employers toward their workers, as well as the biblical roots for human rights in the works of mercy. Perhaps this Labor Day "off" can also be a day "on" beyond picnics and parades, a day in which we reflect upon our own works of mercy and the work of so many others around us as contributing to the gift of God's creation, and finding new ways of laboring for God's Greater Glory in the new and challenging situation of work in our interdependent world today. 

-Edward B. "Ted" Arroyo, S.J.

Weekend Reflections for 8/26/16

"Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24.

'You have approached Mount Zion and the city of the Living God ...'

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, whoever he or she was, describes the ever-deepening revelation of the Divine to those who have become the naturalized citizens of the Nation of God through the sacrifice of Jesus. The revelation on Sinai and the giving of the Law was a terrifying experience. There were established the boundaries beyond which we cannot go - no others gods, no idols, no lying, etc. The splendor of God ripped through the fabric of this world with such authority that the people begged not to hear again the shattering voice of God. In contrast, the experience of the new Sinai established in the blood of Jesus is not terrifying but seductive. It is a shining city rather than a mountain blanketed in thunderstorms, a festival gathering of angels, those enrolled in heaven, and the spirits of the just made perfect in the blood of Jesus. That is, the citizens of city of the Living God are us. It is our nationality, our ethnicity, the object of our allegiance. We are colonists of the Kingdom of God and struggle to live by its constitution, its laws, its culture and values and ways of life where the humble are exalted, and the blind warmly welcomed, the lame embraced, the people who have been shoved to the margins are triumphantly brought to the center of the city of God."

Francis X. Ryan, SJ

Weekend Reflections for 8/19/16

"'I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory (Isaiah 66). 'And people will come from east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in heaven the kingdom of God' (Luke 13:30)." 

Non-Jews (Gentiles) were not worthy of the slightest share in salvation or of God's favor in the opinion of many or most in Jesus's culture. 'Not Jewish? Too bad for you." Recall horrified reactions to the centurion's act of faith, the Good Samaritan, the woman of Syro-Phonecia to whom Jesus initially responds with a rejection because she is not numbered among God's people - 'we won't give the children's food to a pagan dog'. But Jesus relies on the tradition of Isaiah to proclaim that reservations made for the Kingdom of God may not be valid, that God's will summons all by the free gift of faith. A New Covenant was being established so that God's promises to Israel would include even non-Jews, that is, most of us.

After the end of World War I, a great flu epidemic tore through the starved people of Eastern Europe. Millions died, fields went unattended, orphans were abandoned to their fates, people were crushed by hopelessness. The Friends (commonly called Quakers) sent refugee workers through Europe and one group went to relieve the people of a small town in Poland. One of the Quaker women fell sick and died there. She was refused burial in consecrated ground because she was not a Christian and her body was laid to rest outside of the boundary wall, in unholy ground. In the dark of night, the people of the town came, pulled down the boundary wall, rebuilding it so that it embraced the grave of the Quaker woman."

-Francis X. Ryan, SJ

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

Women:11/14

Men: 9/8, 9/15, 9/19, 9/22, 9/26

First Responders Retreat: 11/1  

Weekend Reflections for 7/29/16

Identity and Security

"Then Jesus said to the crowd, 'Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions.'" Lk 12:15

In Sunday's Gospel Jesus raises the fundamental question about who do we believe and experience ourselves to be and what is truly important to us. He tells the brief story of the rich man who just got richer and needs bigger barns to store and protect his wealth, his stuff. That's who he has become in his own mind and heart: "I'm the guy who owns those huge barns down the road and they're full of good stuff." That might even be how he would introduce himself at a party.  It's not the value of the stuff that's really important; it's our attitude towards it. Whether you pay $5 for it at Walmart or $500 at Saks, it's still just stuff.

Jesus teaches us that we come to know who we truly are not by what we possess and control but by our relationships with others. I am the child of my parents, the brother or sister of my siblings, a classmate, a friend, a spouse, a mother or father. Through my love and commitment to others, through the hard and risky work of learning to share and communicate, I come to know who I am.  Jesus reveals that Abba Father is constantly telling me that I am His beloved, no matter my sins, my selfish choices. He and His love for us is the source of our security in this life and the next. Others will know that we are Christians, companions of the Lord Jesus, not by what we drive or wear, but by our love and generosity that others may have what they need for life itself.

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

FEAST DAY OF ST. IGNATIUS

JOIN US MONDAY AUGUST 1st as we celebrate the founder of the Society of Jesus, St. Ignatius.  This feast day mass will take place at 7:30am in the chapel at S.L.U.H. (4970 Oakland Avenue).  We will also be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Manresan Society that morning.  Coffee and donuts will be served following mass.  All are welcome.

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

Women: 8/4, 9/12, 10/3, 11/14

Men: 8/18, 8/25, 9/15

Co-Ed: 9/2

Co-Ed Recovery: 8/11

First Responders: 11/1

Weekend Reflections for 7/22/16

Perseverance in Prayer

"For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  Lk 11:10

In Sunday's Gospel from Luke a disciple asks Jesus to teach him how to pray and he responds with a basic, shortened version of the Our Father, a prayer most of us learned as children. Jesus goes on to teach about the attitude we should have in praying.  As St. Ignatius described, prayer is a conversation we have with God, as one friend speaks to another.  Jesus always insists that God is a loving and merciful parent who will give His children what is good for them. If we ask Him, He will respond. A good parent sometimes has to say No to their child for their own good but they always respond.  Jesus wants us to have that kind of confidence when we pray, when we speak to Our Father.

In Sunday'sResponsorial Psalm, we pray, "When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me." Ps 138:3  I find that is often God's answer to my prayer. He gives me the strength to face and deal with whatever reality is sending my way and challenging me to respond in a faithful and loving way.  God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is always giving us the grace we need to be a little more faithful, a little more hopeful, a little more loving than we know we can be by ourselves. Let us trust that inspiration for it always leads to our good.  We can add to our morning prayer, "Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen today that You and I can't get through together."

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

Women: 8/4, 9/12, 10/3, 11/14

Men: 8/18, 8/25, 9/15

Co-Ed: 9/2

Co-Ed Recovery: 8/11

First Responders: 11/1

Weekend Reflections for 7/15/16

Martha and Mary

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  (Lk 10: 41-2)

The two sisters welcomed Jesus into their home as a guest and each was being hospitable in her own way. Mary is fascinated with Jesus and his message of the Kingdom and just sits and listens intently. Martha is busy in the kitchen preparing a welcome meal. I don’t think Mary was lazy, just completely focused on her guest. Like most sisters they each had their own role to play when guests were present, one entertained, the other provided. Jesus chides Martha not because she’s busy but because she’s scattered, “anxious and worried”, possibly overly concerned about appearances and the impression she’s making.  Do the dishes match? Where are the fancy napkins? Is the food seasoned just right? What will he think? Will he appreciate my efforts?

A good host/hostess is concerned primarily about valuing their guest, making them feel “at home”, comfortable, safe and secure in their company.  I think that’s the “one thing” Jesus says is needed. The commentary in the Missalette we use at White House says it better than I can:  “The ‘one thing’ is to be single-minded, single-hearted, open-minded, open-hearted. The ‘one thing’ is to surrender ourselves to Jesus’ Presence, whether sitting or standing, resting or working, receiving or giving.”

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

Weekend Reflections for 7/8/16

Who is my neighbor? 

In Sunday's Gospel from Luke Jesus tells the famous story of the Good Samaritan.

A scholar of the law knew that his salvation depended on loving his God and his neighbor but he went further and asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus' answer would have been shocking, mind- and heart-blowing! The priest and the Levite, both Jewish religious officials, should have been the ones to stop and help but they pass by. They knew that if they got blood on their hands or clothes, they would be impure and not allowed to enter the Temple. Their public status as those worthy to enter the Temple was at stake, too high a price to be charitable.

The contemporaries of Jesus hated and despised the Samaritans for religious and ethnic reasons and Jesus makes him the hero of the story. That's what is so shocking and so challenging.

When Jesus is told that his mother and family are outside looking for him, he asks "Who is my family? They are those who hear the word of God and keep it." In both cases he is challenging the understanding of who we are related to and how, who is important to us. For Jesus it's not a matter of blood or shared religion that makes us family and neighbors; it's the faith in the God of love who claims all of us as His beloved sons and daughters and that makes all of us brothers and sisters, no matter what our religious and ethnic identity. They will know we are Jesus' followers and companions by our love of others, a love that shows itself in deeds.

 -Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY 

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

Women: 8/4, 9/12, 10/3, 11/14

Men: 7/14, 7/28

Co-Ed: 9/2

Co-Ed Recovery: 8/11

First Responders: 11/1

Weekend Reflections for 7/1/16

Jesus’ Ambassadors

“Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.”

(Lk 10:6)

Jesus sends his disciples out to evangelize, to share with others his good news that “the Kingdom of God is at hand”.  It’s not a threat, not something to cause fear but rather a message of comfort, consolation and hope.  I imagine that the disciples were nervous, even anxious, about such a mission. What will they think of me, will they understand, will they respond? Jesus assures them that if they are willing to take those risks they will lose nothing: the peace they give will come back to them. That’s the way it is in the Gospel: the only way to get more is by giving away what you have.

Pope Francis and our Church leaders have been asking all of us to be evangelizers, to be ambassadors of the Good News that God is our loving Father and we are all his beloved children. Most of us are reluctant to wear our faith and our religion as a badge or a slogan on our shirt but we can all be witnesses to our Lord with our lives, the way we treat others and the strangers who intrude. St. Ignatius wrote that “love shows itself in deeds”. It is our actions and the way we choose to live that evangelize. When others see and recognize, they just might ask, Why? Then we tell them about the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

Weekend Reflections for 6/10/16

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven
because she has shown great love. (Luke 7, 47)

On a number of occasions in the Gospels we hear Jesus telling persons that their sins are forgiven or that they are to avoid sinning in the future. Jesus does not seem to be interested in hearing from them how they have sinned. Rather he focuses on what is in their heart, the nature of their faith and their love for Him.

The scene in this Sunday’ gospel of the woman washing Jesus' hair at the abode of Simon the Pharisee is a good example of this. The woman reveals to Jesus how contrite she is for the manner in which she has lived her life by her unusual but loving gesture of cleansing his feet with her tears and hair. Because of her sorrow and contrition for how she has been living and because of her deep love of Jesus, He immediately and openly forgives her.

For me this is the ideal manner in which we should approach the sacrament of reconciliation or confession. What is important is not the complete numeration of all that we've done wrong-- something we probably never fully grasp or are capable of apprehending, nor is it the exact recitation of the act of contrition.  Jesus simply wants to know if we're sorry for the evil or harm we have done, and that in doing this we have offended Him and have ignored or neglected His love for us.