I had three Zoom meeting today and in a coupe of them we got to talking about the blessings that have come through this time of self isolation. Here are few that I remember: In major cities, air polution is down considerably as there are less vehicles on the road; college kids are home with their families (that blessing came from the parents--not sure the college kids call it a blessing); peole spending more tie outdoors--walking and talking, hiking; Getting more time to cook and prepare meals; families sitting down to eat together more often; more time for spiritual reading; I noticed we have had 250 people "attending" our daily Mass--that's about 10 times morethan our average.
Those are just a few... would love to hear some comments from you about what blessings you have found. Please share tehm in the comment section.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
What Are You Reading? What Are You Watching?
I really don't know how long this shelter in place order will last. With that in mind, this morning I made three lists. The first list was a list of books that I want to read. The second was the shows I want to watch. Finally, I made a list of chores that I want to complete.
At the top of the first list is Being George Washington by Glenn Beck. And while I am not a big Glenn Beck fan I am a big George Washington fan, hence I am reading the book. I haven't gotten very far but I'm already impressed with Washington's ability to have a balanced response to each situation he encounterd in the Revolutionary War. The second book on the list is Fr. James Martin's Jesus: A Pilgrimage. It is based on Matin's tour of the Holy Land. It matches the historical site with the actual event from Jesus' life tha makes it historic. Maybe some day I'll lead a pilgrimage tot he Holy Land. This book will help.
What am I watching? I'm binge watching two things: Dowton Abbey (new to me) and The West Wing (which I've binge watched before). I also try to get a daily dose of The Price is Right. I remember watching that as a kid. I loved it then. I love it now. Drew Carey is okay, but I miss Bob Barker.
On my list of chores is to clean out my garage, the closets in my house and the computer files on my computer. But I doubt you care too much about that.
So what about you? What are you watching and what are you reading as you shelter in place?
At the top of the first list is Being George Washington by Glenn Beck. And while I am not a big Glenn Beck fan I am a big George Washington fan, hence I am reading the book. I haven't gotten very far but I'm already impressed with Washington's ability to have a balanced response to each situation he encounterd in the Revolutionary War. The second book on the list is Fr. James Martin's Jesus: A Pilgrimage. It is based on Matin's tour of the Holy Land. It matches the historical site with the actual event from Jesus' life tha makes it historic. Maybe some day I'll lead a pilgrimage tot he Holy Land. This book will help.
What am I watching? I'm binge watching two things: Dowton Abbey (new to me) and The West Wing (which I've binge watched before). I also try to get a daily dose of The Price is Right. I remember watching that as a kid. I loved it then. I love it now. Drew Carey is okay, but I miss Bob Barker.
On my list of chores is to clean out my garage, the closets in my house and the computer files on my computer. But I doubt you care too much about that.
So what about you? What are you watching and what are you reading as you shelter in place?
Friday, March 27, 2020
Wisdom v Hysteria
This morning as I was praying I thought of the difference between wisdom and hysteria. Wisdom says we might be in this for a while and so I better buy an extra package of toilet paper. Hysteria says buy 10 packages. Wisdom says I better watch the news for a bit to see what is new. Hysrteria says I better not turn off the tv because I might miss something. Wisdom says I better check in with my parents and grandparents. Hysteria says I should call them every hour. There is, I think, a balance not only to be found, but to be sought after in this time. I'm praying today that each of us can find that balance.
"Be careful then how you are to walk, not as the unwise, but as wise..." Ephesians 5:15
"Be careful then how you are to walk, not as the unwise, but as wise..." Ephesians 5:15
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Thoughts While Sitting at Home
Thoughts while sitting at Home:
Every so often people call me and ask...So what have you been doing while "sheltering in place"? I tell tehm this. I have always wanted to take a "stay"cation...you know, you stay home and get a lot of things done in the house that you couldn't typically do (clean windows, clean out closets, catch up on reading, etc.) That's exactly what I have been doing. I'd like to share some of the specifics with you.
This week I have cleaned out two rooms of my house, washed all of my windows and screens, and read a book by Dr. Henry Cloud called "Boundaries." My carpets have quite a bit less dog hair on them (since I can vacuum them more often) and all my laundry is caught up. I also spent some time relaxing. Finally, I enjoyed watching the Netflix series on Madame CJ Walker. I've exercised daily, but have unfortuntely eaten more than I typicaly do! All in all, it hasn't been too bad.
Some of you are aware that I was supposed to be in Austeralia this week to visit my nephew. This is not Australia but I've actually enjoyed my time at home.
What about you? Use the comment section to share how you have spent your first week of lockdown!
Every so often people call me and ask...So what have you been doing while "sheltering in place"? I tell tehm this. I have always wanted to take a "stay"cation...you know, you stay home and get a lot of things done in the house that you couldn't typically do (clean windows, clean out closets, catch up on reading, etc.) That's exactly what I have been doing. I'd like to share some of the specifics with you.
This week I have cleaned out two rooms of my house, washed all of my windows and screens, and read a book by Dr. Henry Cloud called "Boundaries." My carpets have quite a bit less dog hair on them (since I can vacuum them more often) and all my laundry is caught up. I also spent some time relaxing. Finally, I enjoyed watching the Netflix series on Madame CJ Walker. I've exercised daily, but have unfortuntely eaten more than I typicaly do! All in all, it hasn't been too bad.
Some of you are aware that I was supposed to be in Austeralia this week to visit my nephew. This is not Australia but I've actually enjoyed my time at home.
What about you? Use the comment section to share how you have spent your first week of lockdown!
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Chapter 47 The Conspiracy Spirit
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” I would imagine it was my mother who taught me that. And I can remember saying it as a young boy. Whenever a friend would get mad at me and say something mean about me, I would say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” As we get older we discover that those words really aren’t true. Words do harm us…and we harm others with our words.
I think that is one of the points McLaren makes in this chapter. He writes on page 237, “Speaking of our words, one of the most important ways the Spirit moves us to care for people in all these circles is by training us to control our tongues.” I imagine I have hurt more people with my tongue than in any other way. I hope that I have helped quite a few people with my tongue as well.
I liked the various circles of people that McLaren says the Spirit conspires to touch with our lives: family, co-workers, neighbors, the vulnerable, and our critics, opponents and enemies. It is certainly that last group that I struggle with the most. Perhaps we all do.
It is a struggle to show kindness to people we don’t “get” and people who don’t “get” us. It is hard to have kind words to say about those who don’t have kind words to say about us. I was reading a book recently and in this book, they called these people EGR-Extra Grace Required. May God send me and extra dose of the Spirit to assist me in dealing with the EGR’s in my life. And may I be a little less trouble to those that find me to be an EGR to them.
I think that is one of the points McLaren makes in this chapter. He writes on page 237, “Speaking of our words, one of the most important ways the Spirit moves us to care for people in all these circles is by training us to control our tongues.” I imagine I have hurt more people with my tongue than in any other way. I hope that I have helped quite a few people with my tongue as well.
I liked the various circles of people that McLaren says the Spirit conspires to touch with our lives: family, co-workers, neighbors, the vulnerable, and our critics, opponents and enemies. It is certainly that last group that I struggle with the most. Perhaps we all do.
It is a struggle to show kindness to people we don’t “get” and people who don’t “get” us. It is hard to have kind words to say about those who don’t have kind words to say about us. I was reading a book recently and in this book, they called these people EGR-Extra Grace Required. May God send me and extra dose of the Spirit to assist me in dealing with the EGR’s in my life. And may I be a little less trouble to those that find me to be an EGR to them.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Chapter 46 Spirit of Service
The Spirit leads us downward. I guess this is what scripture scholars and theologians call the great reversal. The poor will become powerful. The rich are sent away empty. The blind see and those with sight are made blind. The deaf hear and the hearing cannot understand, cannot "hear" the words of Jesus. The Spirit moves us downward not only to pray, but just as importantly to serve.
One of the things that I think has helped our parish move in the direction that God is calling is our emphasis on service. Exit Zero, St. Elizabeth/Catholic Charities, Community Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph the Worker, Haiti, the Franciscan Kitchen, Marie's Ministry...all places where our parishioners have been pushed downward into service.
My prayer for each of us is that God will continue to lead us downward where we can find in our midst the ones that Jesus would serve.
One of the things that I think has helped our parish move in the direction that God is calling is our emphasis on service. Exit Zero, St. Elizabeth/Catholic Charities, Community Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph the Worker, Haiti, the Franciscan Kitchen, Marie's Ministry...all places where our parishioners have been pushed downward into service.
My prayer for each of us is that God will continue to lead us downward where we can find in our midst the ones that Jesus would serve.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Chapter 45 Spirit of Unity and Diversity
I think it was St. Pope John XXIII who once said that as a Church we should have "Unity in essentials, diversity in non-essentials, and charity in all." I thought about that as I began to read this chapter. What I found interesting (and what I had never really thought about) was that this applied to the Holy Trinity as well.
I liked the way McLaren posed that even in the Holy Trinity we find unity and diversity. I also liked the way he reminded us that they were comfortable being unified in the their essential God being while being diversified in their persons. Jesus didn't want to be the person of the Father. The Holy Spirit doesn't believe it is shortchanged because it's not the person of the Son. It was St. John XXIII's illustration right before us.
To this day I have a hard time understanding the vitriol speech coming from both sides of the political and ecclesiastical aisles. It stupefies me that this happens so easily and with people who I believe really aren't that way at all. We get "caught up" so much in our arguments that we forget we are talking to and dealing with people.
As I type this we are finishing our archdiocesan clergy conference. It has been a great four days with the brothers. We are not all the same. We don't all think the same way. Some are conservative. Some are liberal. Some like Pope Benedict more than Pope Francis and for others it is just he opposite. Some would like to return to the Latin Mass and others are waiting for Vatican III (if it would move the Church, in their opinion, farther along in their way of thinking). But what we strive to do as a presbyterate (a group of clergy in one diocese under one bishop) is to listen to each other. I believe we are unified in the essentials, diverse in the non-essentials and most of the time we show charity in all.
My hope and prayer is that we can do that as the larger Church--in our parishes and dioceses. Further, I pray that someday we can do that as a country.
I liked the way McLaren posed that even in the Holy Trinity we find unity and diversity. I also liked the way he reminded us that they were comfortable being unified in the their essential God being while being diversified in their persons. Jesus didn't want to be the person of the Father. The Holy Spirit doesn't believe it is shortchanged because it's not the person of the Son. It was St. John XXIII's illustration right before us.
To this day I have a hard time understanding the vitriol speech coming from both sides of the political and ecclesiastical aisles. It stupefies me that this happens so easily and with people who I believe really aren't that way at all. We get "caught up" so much in our arguments that we forget we are talking to and dealing with people.
As I type this we are finishing our archdiocesan clergy conference. It has been a great four days with the brothers. We are not all the same. We don't all think the same way. Some are conservative. Some are liberal. Some like Pope Benedict more than Pope Francis and for others it is just he opposite. Some would like to return to the Latin Mass and others are waiting for Vatican III (if it would move the Church, in their opinion, farther along in their way of thinking). But what we strive to do as a presbyterate (a group of clergy in one diocese under one bishop) is to listen to each other. I believe we are unified in the essentials, diverse in the non-essentials and most of the time we show charity in all.
My hope and prayer is that we can do that as the larger Church--in our parishes and dioceses. Further, I pray that someday we can do that as a country.
Friday, June 15, 2018
Chapter 44: Spirit of Love: Loving Self
I found this chapter both interesting and challenging. I liked the way McLaren said we can look at ourselves and be "self-absorbed, self-contained, self-centered, selfish, and self-consumed...Or you can engage in a Spirit-Guided self-examination, self-control, self-development and self-giving." The difference he says is how we seek the spirit of wisdom to direct us.
When people tell me that I should preach more about the rules of the Catholic Church, I often think there is a bit of immaturity in that. I guess it is because I rarely see simply following the rules as also giving life. I like the analogy that McLaren offers. Following the rules is like being in elementary school (and there is a place for that), but moving on to secondary school means maturing past following the rules into discerning the wisdom that calls forth the rules in the first place. It is in the maturation process that the Spirit leads us beyond the law. But it is only effective if we have moved into a place where we can discern what is life-giving for both ourselves and others.
When people tell me that I should preach more about the rules of the Catholic Church, I often think there is a bit of immaturity in that. I guess it is because I rarely see simply following the rules as also giving life. I like the analogy that McLaren offers. Following the rules is like being in elementary school (and there is a place for that), but moving on to secondary school means maturing past following the rules into discerning the wisdom that calls forth the rules in the first place. It is in the maturation process that the Spirit leads us beyond the law. But it is only effective if we have moved into a place where we can discern what is life-giving for both ourselves and others.
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Chapter 43: Spirit of Love: Loving Neighbor
A couple of weeks ago I received a letter from a parishioner questioning why I promote the LA Religious Education Congress. Their concern is that Congress has some speakers that are, in their estimation, a little less than orthodox. While I don't agree that they are less than orthodox, I do know they are a little "left-leaning" in their thought. But I was quick to point out that the LA Congress also has some speakers that lean a little bit to the far right. That is what I like most about Congress. It is a collection of the Church at its fullness--all parts of the spectrum.
McLaren is right when he says that our differences need to be celebrated and not feared. He is right when he challenges to break away from "tribalism" that pit us against them. Perhaps we need to pray for that in our current political environment and our Church environment too. I was reading a blog recently that mentioned a German bishop demanding inter-communion for non-Catholic spouses attending Catholic Mass with their spouse. What struck me was that his words sounded every bit as closed-minded as his counter part who felt this was a bad idea. It seemed both sides wee clinging so tightly to their position, that they had lost the ability to dialogue. Further, it seems they had lost the ability to love the other...
Is it possible to disagree with someone without vilifying them? Is it possible to love someone with whom you disagree strongly? May Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 13 challenge us to live the love God envisions for all of us--a love that is patient, kind, not envious, pompous, or boastful. A love that does not seek its own interest or brood over injury, a love that never fails.
McLaren is right when he says that our differences need to be celebrated and not feared. He is right when he challenges to break away from "tribalism" that pit us against them. Perhaps we need to pray for that in our current political environment and our Church environment too. I was reading a blog recently that mentioned a German bishop demanding inter-communion for non-Catholic spouses attending Catholic Mass with their spouse. What struck me was that his words sounded every bit as closed-minded as his counter part who felt this was a bad idea. It seemed both sides wee clinging so tightly to their position, that they had lost the ability to dialogue. Further, it seems they had lost the ability to love the other...
Is it possible to disagree with someone without vilifying them? Is it possible to love someone with whom you disagree strongly? May Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 13 challenge us to live the love God envisions for all of us--a love that is patient, kind, not envious, pompous, or boastful. A love that does not seek its own interest or brood over injury, a love that never fails.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Chapter 42: Spirit of Love: Loving God
When I used to teach high school seniors I would inevitably have a student tell me. I don't believe in God. I would always say, "Tell me about the God you don't believe in." In other words, I would want to hear from them their understanding of God. Often times in the conversation I would then say, "Well if that is the God you know---then I wouldn't believe in that God either." That almost always led to a good discussion.
I like the process McLaren offers in this chapter and I'd like to take you through some reflections I have had through the years on the various stages of that process (although I wouldn't have called them that at the time.)
Step One: Showing up. My life changed when my spiritual director challenged me to spend a half an hour in prayer each day. My life changed when I joined my Priest's Support Group and I began meeting regularly with some guys who help keep me honest with who I am and who God is. My life changed when I began going to Sr. Mildred, my spiritual director of the first several years of my priesthood (until her health prevented her from doing it any more). My life changed when I began spending Tuesday afternoons (as many as I can) with my small faith group at my current parish. My life changed when I began going to adoration more often. All of these are times that I simply "showed up" to allow God to work in my life.
Step Two: Appreciation. I love it in my life when I meet someone who helps me to see God a little differently than i had before. One example of this was a guy named "Taz." Taz had a unique way of preaching the message of God in such a way that it opened God up to me in new and different ways. I came to appreciate God more after hearing Taz preach. David Wells is another person like that for me. Listening to him all these years at Congress and then having him come her for our Mission allows me to delve a little deeper into the mystery ff God.
Step Three: Cultivate Honor and Respect for God. I can remember Sr. Barbara Fiand saying in a seminary class that God is nothing...And then she would add God is no thing. It was a hard concept for me to grasp and sometimes still is. God is not any of the things we try to make God out to be...those things McLaren rattled off at the beginning of this chapter: angry old man with the white beard, curator of a religious museum, or testy border guard...God is no thing. God is so much beyond our imagining...and yet we need to have some ideas about who God is in order to cultivate that honor and respect. And so we look to Jesus and we find God is compassion. We look to Jesus and find that God is beyond the rules. We look to Jesus and find that God is different from what we often imagine. We look to the Holy Spirit and find that God moves us in ways we couldn't have imagined. We look to the Spirit and find that God is infinitely patient as we learn the same lessons over and over again. We look to the Spirit and find that God never gives up on us as we get it wrong so often. That is a God that I can honor and respect.
Step Four: Learning to say I'm sorry. There have been so many times in my life when I have really messed up. There still are. I love the Sacrament of Reconciliation because of that. How often I need to say, "God...it's me. I did it again." or "God it's me. I need your help."
Learning to love god is a life-long process. I hope I am better at it today that I was 10 years ago. I hope that I'll be even better tomorrow. It's like the 1970's pop hit: "I love you more today than yesterday, but not at much as tomorrow.
I like the process McLaren offers in this chapter and I'd like to take you through some reflections I have had through the years on the various stages of that process (although I wouldn't have called them that at the time.)
Step One: Showing up. My life changed when my spiritual director challenged me to spend a half an hour in prayer each day. My life changed when I joined my Priest's Support Group and I began meeting regularly with some guys who help keep me honest with who I am and who God is. My life changed when I began going to Sr. Mildred, my spiritual director of the first several years of my priesthood (until her health prevented her from doing it any more). My life changed when I began spending Tuesday afternoons (as many as I can) with my small faith group at my current parish. My life changed when I began going to adoration more often. All of these are times that I simply "showed up" to allow God to work in my life.
Step Two: Appreciation. I love it in my life when I meet someone who helps me to see God a little differently than i had before. One example of this was a guy named "Taz." Taz had a unique way of preaching the message of God in such a way that it opened God up to me in new and different ways. I came to appreciate God more after hearing Taz preach. David Wells is another person like that for me. Listening to him all these years at Congress and then having him come her for our Mission allows me to delve a little deeper into the mystery ff God.
Step Three: Cultivate Honor and Respect for God. I can remember Sr. Barbara Fiand saying in a seminary class that God is nothing...And then she would add God is no thing. It was a hard concept for me to grasp and sometimes still is. God is not any of the things we try to make God out to be...those things McLaren rattled off at the beginning of this chapter: angry old man with the white beard, curator of a religious museum, or testy border guard...God is no thing. God is so much beyond our imagining...and yet we need to have some ideas about who God is in order to cultivate that honor and respect. And so we look to Jesus and we find God is compassion. We look to Jesus and find that God is beyond the rules. We look to Jesus and find that God is different from what we often imagine. We look to the Holy Spirit and find that God moves us in ways we couldn't have imagined. We look to the Spirit and find that God is infinitely patient as we learn the same lessons over and over again. We look to the Spirit and find that God never gives up on us as we get it wrong so often. That is a God that I can honor and respect.
Step Four: Learning to say I'm sorry. There have been so many times in my life when I have really messed up. There still are. I love the Sacrament of Reconciliation because of that. How often I need to say, "God...it's me. I did it again." or "God it's me. I need your help."
Learning to love god is a life-long process. I hope I am better at it today that I was 10 years ago. I hope that I'll be even better tomorrow. It's like the 1970's pop hit: "I love you more today than yesterday, but not at much as tomorrow.
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