Discipleship with the Cross

"When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, 

and when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord." 

Pope Francis

Isn't it so true that many, if not all of us, want to go about life without the Cross! After all, Jesus is Risen! Amen, right? Yes, indeed He is Risen. Nevertheless, we must not forget that the Resurrection is only part of the story. Yes, it is essential and the culminating moment. Yet, it remains incomplete without the other elements of the Paschal Mystery, without the Suffering and Death. We have reflected with the help of the Gospels, a major part of Jesus' suffering was the Cross. It is through the Cross that His death came to pass. Instead of abandoning the Cross, Jesus chose to transform it and give to it a whole new meaning. His embrace and death on the Cross brought about redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. Something we could never do on our own nor something we could have ever earned.

So it is in our gratitude we make the choice to live as disciples. To live as His disciples is not to pick and choose what is convenient nor to run away from the Cross because Jesus embraced it for us! Jesus never told his disciples He would carry the Cross so that they need not. Quite the opposite, Jesus commanded his disciples to take up their cross. "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Jesus challenges you and me, his disciples to take up our cross daily. It is not easy to take up the cross daily. In so attempting we must not reduce the Cross to one of our choosing nor a Cross we think fits us best.  No, this is not the answer. As disciples we take up the Cross that is given to us. Just like Jesus who was given His Cross.

Be Not Afraid. The Good Shepherd does not abandon His sheep. It is Jesus who helps us to embrace it just as did He. It is Jesus who helps us to carry it when it gets heavy and we want to let it go. It is Jesus who gives new meaning in the suffering endured while with the Cross. It is Jesus who gives us new life in the pain.

One day each of us will stand before God. What Cross will we place before God? Will we even have a Cross to present? Until that day, Jesus commands us to follow His example. And along the way Jesus gives us gifts. Those gifts come only when we embrace the Cross. His gifts are glimpses of new life that come to us through those mini paschal mystery moments in our lives. Those glimpses are when we embrace the Cross, when we find meaning in the suffering, and when we allow "mini deaths" to occur now so as to better equip us and prepare us for the final death, our exit from this world into the next.

Until then, keep taking up your Cross, keep walking, keep searching for meaning in the suffering and pain, and keep believing that Jesus will give you glimpses of new life!

Habemus Papam

March 13, 2013 was the second day of the conclave to elect the successor of Benedict XVI. Each vote brings with it, anticipation and excitement, but also comes the slight possibility of disappointment. At least many felt that disappointment Wednesday morning when black smoke rose once again from the Sistine Chapel after another round of voting that did not bring about an election. I arrived just after the vote because of my morning classes, so although I was disappointed for not being present to see the smoke, a side of me was elated this time because it meant I did not miss the moment we all wait to see.

The world waited for the white smoke and the bells to ring. While the world waited through television, radio and internet, those of us blessed to be in Rome waited under the stormy clouds and wet weather. Even though it was not ideal waiting weather, I didn't hear anyone around me complain. Sure we all wanted it to happen sooner than later, but the electricity of being with thousands in St. Peter's Square was enough to keep us warm and help us not to mind the less than ideal weather.

5:30pm Rome time came and went with no white smoke. This meant all of us gathered would have to wait until at least 7:30pm to see if the Church would be given a new successor of Peter. It was amazing just how many more people filled the square. We were either in for a major disappointment or a grand celebration. Once the clock turned 7:00pm, the people were waiting and hoping to see what was about to emerge from the chimney installed at the Sistine Chapel.

Could it be? Is it black or is it white? White, white, it is white! Habemus Papam! We have a Pope! The crowds gathered in St. Peter's square erupted with cheers, smiles, and elation. What an honor to be present in the midst of this celebration! What a great moment to be a Catholic! Probably only something a Catholic could fully understand.  For to us the Pope is more than just a man. The Pope represents Christ to His Church. The Pope serves as the Vicar of Christ on earth fulfilling the teaching of the Lord that He would never leave us as orphans or without a Shepherd for His sheep.

It wasn't until one hour later the world would be introduced to the New Pope. Who will it be? What name will he have chosen? These are the thoughts that go through the minds of all waiting with anticipation.

It was then as the curtains were opened and the Cardinal announced, "Habemus Papam" that the world would be introduced to His Holiness, Pope Francis!

Papal Conclave Day 1

I never it my wildest dreams would ever have imagined that I would one day be a priest called to study in Rome, to be present during a Papal resignation, the first in 600 years, and to be awaiting the election of his successor with the Papal Conclave! Believe it or not, here it is! I have been blessed in so many ways. One thing I learned a while back is that when you put your faith in the Lord and follow Him, you will be taken on a wild ride. That ride, as many of you know, has its highs and lows. Right now in March of 2013, I am on one of those highs. The world has turned its attention to Rome and is tuned into the Papal Conclave. Day 1 produced only black smoke and thus there is no new pope. We all pray and wait. Let us stay tuned.

Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus

Thank you Pope Benedict XVI for your leadership and wisdom over the last eight years! Your words will endure for years to come. You said yes to the Lord to serve as Pope at the age of 78. You have served the Lord your entire life and will continue to do so until you are called home. Well done, good and faithful servant!

Commandments of the Lord

"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing."  -Luke 5:3-6

Each of us is on a journey. The Gospel reading above shows us that Christ desires to be part of that journey. We all need good teachers to help us maneuver through the waters of life. Everyone knows those waters can be very calm at one moment and the very next can toss you about filling you with fear that you might just go overboard. Not one person figures life out overnight nor maneuvers through life unscathed. However, what the Gospel says to us is that Christ who is our teacher and savior calls out to us along the journey. Christ's desire to be one with us in the boat and to lead us to the eternal dwelling place. Christ's call and desire never waver despite where we may be along the journey. The question is do we choose to listen or even desire to be reached?

For us to reach our eternal destination and to experience meaning along the way we must be willing to listen and do as we are commanded. The commandments that our God gives to us and the commands Christ call us to live are not meant to be overbearing and unreachable, rather, the commandments are meant to free us, deliver us and help us to experience abundant blessings in our lives.

The temptation for most is to desire to do it "my way". We stop being students and only see commandments as rules that are an imposition upon our personal freedoms and independence. At times our stubbornness causes us to get lost, which then makes it more difficult to find our way back.

Peter in the Gospel above tells the Lord that he and the others have worked hard doing it their way with little results. After expressing frustration, Peter finally responds to Christ's command. It was only then that Peter in giving over to obedience at the command of Christ lowers his nets. And when he had done this he immedidately caught a great number of fish.

Christ wants to be part of the journey and will call out to us to hear his commands. Commands that are not meant to burden but to truly free and nourish us abundantly. We must not sail away from the Lord nor close ourselves off from his commands. We must have faith and trust that the Lord has a plan for each of us. A plan that undoubtedly will have its share of waves nevertheless a journey full of blessings and meaning. He will be part of the journey at every moment. In the calming everyday moments of our lives as well as the stormy uncertain ones. Whether in the calm or the storm, we must be willing to listen to the commands of the Lord by casting out our pride and lowering our nets of humility into the deep where Christ has abundant blessings awaiting both you and me!

Draw near to God

In the midst of the senseless violence and the loss of innocent life in Newtown, Connecticut, may we remember the words of St. John of the Cross who we remember this day:

"In tribulation immediately draw near to God with confidence, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, and instruction.”

The nation mourns, but before we want answers or choose to get angry let us first draw near to God.

There is no new gun law, no death penalty verdict, or deep desire to get even that will erase this behavior in our world. It is turning to God, who through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, commands us to love.

People don't just grow into killers one day, it is the absence of genuine love in their life, which we as humans need.

Be an example of love not hate this day and everyday!

WOW

A Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love alone speak. He knows that God is love and that God's presence is felt 
at the very time when the only thing we do is to love. --- Pope Benedict XVI

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Wow! Many people today are saying those words after the ending of an intense election in the States. Those “wows” don’t just come from one side but all sides for many different reasons. There are those who are joyful, some others painfully disappointed and still others unsure and questioning, “Is this what we have become?”

As many of you who know me, I am a quiet and observant. Not quick to judge or to make my voice heard. I like to pause, reflect, and then speak. Always praying and hoping my words may not be just my own, but that of the Gospel, which I strive to live. I know I do not always perfect the Gospel in my own life, but I only pray that I never grow weary of striving towards its fulfillment each day.

As I have watched and listened over the many months, both up close and from afar, I could not help but to think, “Is this what we have become?” From the bickering and complaining, to hurtful and ungodly Facebook postings, to the media who no longer seek the facts nor the truth but their own version of it, “Is this what we have become?”

On a personal note, something more disappointing then the decisiveness in the country is the division within the Church. Catholics arguing amongst Catholics, blame, judgment, and finger pointing towards one another, not to mention the very little time taken to neither listen nor learn.

I truly believe this is where the problem lies. We have stopped listening and learning. We tend to think we have our truth and if we shout it the loudest everyone else will have to accept it as the truth.

This past Sunday, I was reminded by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark of the words first spoken to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:4-6. It reads, Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I command you today. These same words Jesus reiterates in Mark 12:29-31, with an additional command: the second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. For Jesus, these two commands sums up the totality and basis of the Law.

Something worth noting is said before the commands are given, it reads, “HEAR, O ISRAEL.” To first hear, we must stop to listen. Not to argue, nor assume, not give our personal opinion, nor put forth our own commands, but first to hear!

I am in all in favor of civil discourse and even disagreement, but something I cannot favor is never taking time to listen and learn. And yet before we even can position ourselves to listen to one another, we must first listen to God. God lays forth the commands. God gives us the ways for moral living. Humans don’t make them up, society cannot pick and choose which ones we would like to live by and others we feel like casting aside. My professor a few days ago told his students, “for justice to work we need moral absolutes which are the backbone for every civil code and society.” I recently read an article that said,

“Many of the people in the world around us embrace divergent worldviews, and many of their views contradict the Christian perspective. As a result, it’s often difficult to get people to even consider the Christian version of moral accountability. In fact, many resist the notion that there is an absolute moral code that comes from a source higher than themselves. When considering the existence of moral truths, the questions are simple: “Does morality come from people or does morality come from God?” “Does our society shape our moral beliefs, or are they handed down to us from God?” If we, as people, are the source of moral truth then we can simply follow our own path. But if morality comes from a source greater than ourselves, we have an obligation to that source and we ought to at least make an effort to identify the source of all moral truth... Transcendent moral truths have great value in that they provide protection from irresponsible behaviors that ultimately hurt each of us (individually) and hurt our relationship with God. It’s been said that “good fences make good neighbors” because fences allow each neighbor to know his or her boundaries. In a similar way, “good fences (moral codes) make good people” because they delineate the moral boundaries that ultimately protect us from doing wrong. It’s not enough for us to embrace and accept a particular moral code. We first need to think clearly about the SOURCE of that moral code. If the source is transcendent and unchanging, we will come to recognize that moral truths are not trivial and transient; they are as fixed unchanging as their source. If this is true, then we are less likely to exchange them whenever we please to meet our human desires.”

Every person, family, community or society has a system of rules that governs its living. For a person to deny this would be foolish. But what governs your system of rules? Where do you learn your values, principles, rights, and wrongs? Are they universal or particular? Do they change with the latest poll or popular opinion? Should it be left to an individual or group to determine today what is wrong and tomorrow what is right? Or should it be left to a SOURCE that is transcendent and unchanging? A SOURCE, which is not looking to change with the latest polls nor is interested in the popular vote. A SOURCE, which creates order out of disorder and brings redemption from suffering. A SOURCE that perhaps we should all take a little more time to spend with, listen to and learn from!

Only from God does true revolution come... the definitive way to change the world. 

- Pope Benedict XVI