What gets in your way?

It is so hard to respond to Sundays' Gospel with the usual words: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
Praise?? For chopped off hands, feet and missing eyes? Gross! Yuck. Ewwww. That really can't be what Jesus is talking about here.

Going deeper into the absolute mystery of this passage these are the things that catch me:
That 'cup of water' and the 'little ones'.

Living in NYC, it's almost a daily event to see a person in need asking for some help. Money, food, a metrocard...my own personal favorite story was the day I lost my last job, I was approached by someone looking for money to get on the train to go to a job interview...and I simply told him I had just lost my job...and he wished me good luck...you can't make this stuff up!!

In any case, I am often reminded of the need to be respectful and compassionate, even if I can't be financially helpful...I can always offer what I think of that biblical cup of water...sometimes on a hot day, it may be an actual cup of water, other times it may be just treating a less fortunate brother or sister as a human being.

And the little ones....how do we not think of the tenderness our Pope is showing to all, especially the youngest ones in the crowds that are greeting him on his U.S. trip? Pope Francis certainly seems to embody this gospel quote...as he embraces and blesses our children.

But then I'm back to the chopping off hands and feet...we had a discussion here last night at our monthly LGBTQS group in the Parish and we all found our way to the idea that maybe what Jesus was trying to tell us was: If there is something or someone in your life that prevents you from drawing closer to God, to following Gods' will for you in your life, then maybe we need to separate ourselves from that obstacle. It's easy to see how money, power, fame, and even some relationships may lead us down a path away from all that is good and holy and of God. It's not comfortable to look at that, and not simple to make the change that might be needed. But in our quiet moments, if we are thoughtful people, we know what brings us closer to God, what makes us our best selves, and what gets in our way...

So, with the image of Pope Frank everywhere this week...let's take a few minutes in prayer to ponder how we too, like the Pope, can be a good example of living out the Gospel message in our world.

Christianity isn't for the faint hearted

I was going to say, Christianity isn't for wimps...but do we even use that word anymore? I was speaking with a young couple who are interested in beginning the RCIA process this week and we were talking about the benefit of discovering the desire for a faith life when one is old enough to take the commitment seriously. Christianity is certainly something we hope to grow in throughout our lives, because it is certainly not meant to be easy. Look at what Jesus says in the Gospel...that whole "take up your cross, deny your self' riff...who in their right mind would be attracted to that?

Yet, we know, as adult believers, there is no other way to Jesus but through the cross. Not that we need to go creating some of our own making! No, life has a way of knocking us down, without us needing to go looking for any more suffering or difficulty. The mark of a Christian, perhaps, is how we live through the pain and suffering, the hardship and the disappointments, and still manage to be joyful witnesses to Gods' love for all. I think the secret to that is found in the second reading which speaks so well to the need to be of service to one another. We  can not truly be happy in this life if we are thinking only of ourselves. If we think of and work for the good of others, it is there that our hearts swell and we find joy. Think about it ...it's true isn't it? When you do something for another is when you find your self most happy.

As we in NYC prepare for the arrival of Pope Francis, my prayer is that we will put aside our 'NY attitude' and be open to what he would like to say to us. We may be called to consider moving outside our comfort level and be of service to others. May the Spirit give us ears to hear!

Be Strong! Fear Not!

What words could be more suitable as students and teachers and parents everywhere prepare to enter into the mystery of a new academic year? From Isaiah: "Be strong! Fear not!"

When I paused at my desk this afternoon, surrounded by class lists, calendars, text book orders and the like, I thought, with only a few minutes to spare all I really want to say this week is "I'm praying for you all". Those students beginning in new schools, or going back to continue in your 'old' school; teachers, new and old, getting ready to face new classes; parents struggling to let little ones go for the first time, or, exhausted from summer, ready to send big ones back into the care of the new teachers.

It's another letting go. It's another beginning. It's another change. For most of us change whether its good or bad, fun or hard, our choice or another's --we find change hard. That's OK, I think. Once we acknowledge it's difficult, then we just have to live through it until the new and uncomfortable becomes something we're used to again. That's just the way life is, isn't it?

So, looking at the Gospel story this week where Jesus heals the deaf man, I pray for each of us, but especially those going back to school, or anyone starting something brand new...that we have ears that are open to hear all that God wants us to learn in the year ahead. Most of all, every morning, may we hear how very much God loves us.

Where would you go??

Wow! Every once in awhile, all the readings line up perfectly...and hit us right between the eyes don't they? I know there's a theme each week, in the Church's infinite wisdom, but some weeks it is so obvious even I can see it!!

So, when Joshua proclaims in the first reading: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"
and Peter cries out in the Gospel: "Lord, to whom would we go?" (Is it just me, or do you hear him in a whiney voice?) I get it! I really do!

I have been fortunate to work in church ministry for my whole life...really, I probably started when I was 12 or 14 in my home parish of  St Frances de Chantal in Wantagh. I loved being a part of the youth group, the folk group, the plays we put on, working as sacristan, serving as lector and Eucharistic minister and catechist...so it was no surprise to anyone when I chose church work for my career. I have worked in a girls Catholic HS, then in 6 parishes, including where I am now. For the most part, I have loved every minute, and so many of the people I have met. I truly am blessed.

Still, every now and again, in a difficult moment...something makes me wonder if it wouldn't be easier to do something else, be something else, believe in a different way...cause we Catholics certainly have a lot of rules and regulations to live by. But my mind and heart really can't even begin to conceive of being anything other than the person I am in the faith I was raised in. Sure I wish things would change more quickly...Lord knows, and my family does too, I was not gifted with the virtue of patience. And so, like St Thomas More, I think, said..."Here I stand, I can do no other."

For better or worse, I am Catholic through and through. Proud of my faith, proud of my church, (especially with the leadership of Pope Francis) and even though sometimes it seems very hard to follow the words and will of Jesus in scripture...I find myself like Peter crying out: "where would I go?" I choose You, Lord. I put my life in your hands.

Mary understands

It's been a strange, long week. Really, it has been. And I'm looking forward to some time to just step apart and breathe a little bit.
As I paused to think before I started writing, I noticed that this Saturday we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. And my eyes fell upon the beautiful prayer, the Magnificat. And all of a sudden, I could breathe again. The knot in my stomach dissolved. I found peace for the first time all week in my mother's prayer:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
my spirit rejoices in God my savior
for his has looked with favor upon his lowly servant...
From this day all generations will call me blessed
The Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name...

Why don't I pray this more often?
Why don't I turn to Mary in my distress and confide my worries in her?
Why do I think I have to handle it all on my own?

It was so many years ago now, that I met Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe when I was fortunate to work at that church on 14th st in NYC. It was through the humble faith of those strong immigrant men and women that I came to know Mary as a mother again...Having grown up in a world fighting for equal rights for women, I had neglected what was there all along-the image of Mary as a strong, loving, faith filled woman.

Most days I think I have to handle it all on my own. And that makes me tired and sometimes cranky.
Today, when I remembered Mary, all of a sudden, the burden was lighter. That's kind of amazing to me. So I invite you to do the same. Feeling stressed? Feeling beaten down?
Stop a minute and slowly pray the words of the Magnificat...and feel your heart open again. Just relax and breathe.

Be Compassionate

St Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians today: "Be kind to one another, compassionate, ...."
I find the word 'compassionate' resonating with me today as I anticipate Sunday.

We have received a surprising amount of phone calls this week that began with the words: "I used to be a member of St X church...but they closed last week and I'm looking for a place to...worship, come to Mass, baptize my child, find a 'faith home'..." We knew we might get some phone calls, some folks at Mass...but there have been more than I would have imagined.

I feel deeply for these parishioners with no parish, who find themselves searching for a new place to be nurtured and fed. And I'm so glad they've found St Francis de Sales on 96th St...because this place is so ready and willing to welcome new comers! I love watching folks greet each other when they come into church, it's like everyone is a new friend...it really is just beautiful to watch and I'm so glad to be a small part of it all.

So, as we move through these lazy days of August, I pray for all our brothers and sisters in the city who are searching for a new parish home. I hope that if they wander by our doors, they come in and receive a warm, caring welcome. I'll be waiting at the doorway to say hello to you. Together, let us follow Jesus where he leads us in our daily lives. What an adventure it promises to be!

Be Who You Are!!

Jesus says very clearly this weekend in our Gospel, He is our Bread of Life. No doubt about it, it is Jesus who nourishes us, sustains us, feeds us...Jesus is all we need to survive. Our daily bread.

What does this have to do with the quote so beautiful illustrated above by Br. Mickey McGrath? Everything, I think.

Jesus knew who he was, in his very core...a Son of God the Father...and he lived out his truth in every moment of his days.

Who are we? Who are you and I? Do we act out of the knowledge that we are God's sons and daughters or do we act as less than that?

I was gifted with the opportunity to see the show "Amazing Grace" on Broadway the other night. Even as I sat watching this historical drama, I knew I'd have to say something about it. There is a line in the play when one character says something like: "Audiences are fickle, they'll leave the theater and forget all about this...." "This" being the issue of slavery that is the core of the story. That makes me sad, for the playbill took the time to explain that slavery/human trafficking is a more extensive problem today then it was in the days of the slave trade, yet no one is paying attention...I can't even get my head around the reality of slavery, 200 years ago, or now. Certainly not an example of human beings acting as their best selves. What are we called to do about this now?

How do we act as our best selves, children of the God who created us, more often, rather than less? I guess we pray. I guess we try to serve others. I think I try to be more generous rather than less. More loving for sure. And when the opportunity comes to speak the truth...God give me the courage to open my mouth for the good of others.