Today’s readings are talking about the Last Judgment. As Christians we should continuously repent and live in and under forgiveness. With this groundwork, the Advent Season serves as a reminder to prepare ourselves. Those who prepare their hearts and lives can wait with anticipation instead of fear for the coming of the Lord.
A few years ago, I felt the burden of my sin more than ever. Because I wanted to overcome my addiction before asking for forgiveness, I was too ashamed to go to confession. Once I finally went, confession was an amazing experience; it was difficult, but breathtaking. The sacrament became more important to me than ever before. I laid the sin at Jesus’ feet in complete admission of my inability to overcome it. Jesus paid my debt and gave me the most amazing and personal gift- my temptation was taken away. The sin that I was so ashamed of was brought out of the darkness and into the light. My source of embarrassment was now proof that God was merciful and powerful.
I implore you, take advantage of confession and shun that secrecy you think your sins are hiding under. You needn't be afraid and instead can "wait in joyful hope for the coming of our
Lord." When God clears your debt- you live in victory. Those old secret sins can actually become a source of glory. When the old sins are revealed, it will not pain or embarrass, but add to your joy and honor because God has conquered the Devil in that battle.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12
Cairine Lewis is a WVU student.
Recommended Reading:
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen (2002)
Question of the Week:
In what ways do I need to prepare my heart for Christ’s coming at Christmas?
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Building the Kingdom of God
The view of king/kingdom among the Jewish people consisted of their longing and hope for a Messiah/the Messianic kingdom. “Messiah” is Hebrew for the anointed one and was usually understood to be the long-awaited “King of the Jews” who was to be the expected deliverer of the Jewish people. He was to be the one in whom the Spirit of the Divine would rest, the one who is to rule with righteousness and faithfulness, and the one who is to bring about spiritual transformation in the Jewish kingdom that will become an example of goodness for other nations. Some of the Jewish people are still awaiting the Messiah, while others accepted Jesus as the Messiah, the King of the Jews. It is from the latter group and its followers that the gospel story developed that has me asking:
• What was there about the life of Jesus that he was called the Messiah and the Son of God?
• How is it that people believed they have met in Jesus a power that the grave cannot contain and death could not extinguish?
• What was it about the “Jesus experience” that caused people to say that in his life the signs of the in-breaking into the kingdom of God, that a new relationship with God, had been seen?
• What is it in the life of Jesus that people were challenged to change their lives?
On reflecting on these questions, I find myself moving between Jesus’ times in the Jewish community and the present time. Here are a few of the activities that caught the attention of the people. Jesus was fully human and so he grew in wisdom, grace, and age (Lk 2:52). He changed. He grew into an ever-increasing depth of understanding of living into God, into a relationship where he and the Father (God) were one. Jesus had one place to go and that was deeper into God--letting God work through him. He recognized that the kingdom of heaven, of God, is here and now. And in that kingdom, Jesus shared his love with the Jewish community and beyond—curing the sick, interacting with forbidden or unacceptable people by the Jewish law, feeding the hungry, challenging people through parables and questions, feeling sad when the meaning of his messages were missed or overlooked, teaching about the kingdom and how to be part of it, going apart to pray, and making God visible by allowing God to shine forth through him. This is a bit of what Jesus showed us. In Jesus we see what GOD IS LIKE, learn that God’s Kingdom exists in the HERE and NOW, and realize that GOD IS THE SAME FOR ALL.
In the light of Jesus and his kingdom here are a few questions I found myself reflecting on--How do we grow in wisdom, grace and age? How do we come to appreciate that we are to find God within us, to live into God as God lives us? How do we keep before us as we work that the kingdom of heaven is now? How do we draw into our community and share equally with people of the entire kingdom, the world, and live the words of the song, “All are welcome,” regardless of racial, ethnic, cultural or sexual orientation? HOW DO WE SHOW WHAT GOD IS LIKE HERE AND NOW?
Pat Obenauf is a Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Literacy here at WVU.
How do we show what God is like here and now?
Editor’s notes: As Catholics, we understand Jesus to be both fully human and fully divine. Jesus is “true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” (Nicene Creed)
We believe in the Parousia, that is, Christ will come again at the end of time, bringing the Kingdom of God into its fullness, and renewing the entire universe (CCC 1042). The Kingdom of God is both already present and not yet in its fullness; like a mustard seed which holds the potential for the bush which cannot yet be seen. In Luke (17:20-21), Jesus tells us “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘there it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”
• What was there about the life of Jesus that he was called the Messiah and the Son of God?
• How is it that people believed they have met in Jesus a power that the grave cannot contain and death could not extinguish?
• What was it about the “Jesus experience” that caused people to say that in his life the signs of the in-breaking into the kingdom of God, that a new relationship with God, had been seen?
• What is it in the life of Jesus that people were challenged to change their lives?
On reflecting on these questions, I find myself moving between Jesus’ times in the Jewish community and the present time. Here are a few of the activities that caught the attention of the people. Jesus was fully human and so he grew in wisdom, grace, and age (Lk 2:52). He changed. He grew into an ever-increasing depth of understanding of living into God, into a relationship where he and the Father (God) were one. Jesus had one place to go and that was deeper into God--letting God work through him. He recognized that the kingdom of heaven, of God, is here and now. And in that kingdom, Jesus shared his love with the Jewish community and beyond—curing the sick, interacting with forbidden or unacceptable people by the Jewish law, feeding the hungry, challenging people through parables and questions, feeling sad when the meaning of his messages were missed or overlooked, teaching about the kingdom and how to be part of it, going apart to pray, and making God visible by allowing God to shine forth through him. This is a bit of what Jesus showed us. In Jesus we see what GOD IS LIKE, learn that God’s Kingdom exists in the HERE and NOW, and realize that GOD IS THE SAME FOR ALL.
In the light of Jesus and his kingdom here are a few questions I found myself reflecting on--How do we grow in wisdom, grace and age? How do we come to appreciate that we are to find God within us, to live into God as God lives us? How do we keep before us as we work that the kingdom of heaven is now? How do we draw into our community and share equally with people of the entire kingdom, the world, and live the words of the song, “All are welcome,” regardless of racial, ethnic, cultural or sexual orientation? HOW DO WE SHOW WHAT GOD IS LIKE HERE AND NOW?
Pat Obenauf is a Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Literacy here at WVU.
How do we show what God is like here and now?
Editor’s notes: As Catholics, we understand Jesus to be both fully human and fully divine. Jesus is “true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” (Nicene Creed)
We believe in the Parousia, that is, Christ will come again at the end of time, bringing the Kingdom of God into its fullness, and renewing the entire universe (CCC 1042). The Kingdom of God is both already present and not yet in its fullness; like a mustard seed which holds the potential for the bush which cannot yet be seen. In Luke (17:20-21), Jesus tells us “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘there it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”
Sunday, November 14, 2010
It's the end of the world as we know it...
Global warming, melting of the ice caps, tsunamis, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, increases in crime and abuse, decreases in morality and church attendance, wars, nations against nations, poverty and starvation. Do our first and second scripture readings this weekend sound like the news headlines? Are we in the end times? If you read further in chapter 21 of the Gospel of Luke, there are numerous additional signs of the end including persecutions due to religious beliefs, and tribulations of armed occupations and severe punishments, and extreme natural phenomenon so frightening as to cause death. All of which could be in today’s headlines.
Why is it that we are so concerned with the “end of the world”? And so worried about when the end will come? The Good News that Jesus proclaimed is one of hope. As Luke tells us in chapter 21, Jesus proclaims that our “redemption is at hand”. God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11-14 that the Lord’s plan for us is “not for woe” but “full of hope”.
Acts 2:16-21 repeats the prophet Joel’s foretelling that in the last days, in addition to the great signs of end times, there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. What Great News! Comforting News! Why should we be fearful of the end of the world when we know what has been promised us?
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is upon us today. Call upon the Holy Spirit, who you personally received at Baptism and who was renewed in you at Confirmation, to be rekindled in you today. Ask for the gifts of the Spirit to be enlivened in you. The same “holy boldness” that the first disciples received at Pentecost will be stirred in you and will enable you to proclaim to family, friends and all you meet, the Good News of hope for all who believe that Jesus is Lord! There is no fear of the end times by believers of the Word of God but only great peace and joy!
Praise the Lord!
bob & Irene Carubia
parishioners of St John University parish
bob & Irene are also leaders in the Light of Life Community sponsoring spiritual retreat opportunities, bible study, prayer and praise and Catholic radio broadcasting. For more info go to: www.wvLoL.org
Question of the Week:
Do you think we live in end times? Why or why not?
Why is it that we are so concerned with the “end of the world”? And so worried about when the end will come? The Good News that Jesus proclaimed is one of hope. As Luke tells us in chapter 21, Jesus proclaims that our “redemption is at hand”. God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11-14 that the Lord’s plan for us is “not for woe” but “full of hope”.
Acts 2:16-21 repeats the prophet Joel’s foretelling that in the last days, in addition to the great signs of end times, there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. What Great News! Comforting News! Why should we be fearful of the end of the world when we know what has been promised us?
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is upon us today. Call upon the Holy Spirit, who you personally received at Baptism and who was renewed in you at Confirmation, to be rekindled in you today. Ask for the gifts of the Spirit to be enlivened in you. The same “holy boldness” that the first disciples received at Pentecost will be stirred in you and will enable you to proclaim to family, friends and all you meet, the Good News of hope for all who believe that Jesus is Lord! There is no fear of the end times by believers of the Word of God but only great peace and joy!
Praise the Lord!
bob & Irene Carubia
parishioners of St John University parish
bob & Irene are also leaders in the Light of Life Community sponsoring spiritual retreat opportunities, bible study, prayer and praise and Catholic radio broadcasting. For more info go to: www.wvLoL.org
Question of the Week:
Do you think we live in end times? Why or why not?
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Eat, Pray, Love. The title of that bestselling book helps me think about the readings for this week. It may seem like a stretch, but bear with me for a minute.
As the full title of the book explains, Eat, Pray, Love is the story of writer Liz Gilbert’s “search for everything in Italy, India, and Indonesia.” I think the readings this week tell the story of an entire faith community’s “search for everything” in God.
Eat. Liz Gilbert travels to Italy to focus on the joys and pleasures in life. Her descriptions are great, but beyond gelato, what really is at stake? Contrast this to the trip we take with 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14. A woman and her seven sons are faced with a choice: eat pork in violation of their beliefs—or die. One by one, they choose to die. In their resistance, they affirm their belief in God and in resurrection. It is not a happy story, but it is a compelling one that asks, “What do we believe?”
Pray. The first time Liz Gilbert tries to speak to God, she says, “It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, ‘I’ve always been a big fan of your work.’ ” I like the line, but St. Paul is more eloquent—and more generous—as he prays for us: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father . . . encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.” What good can we do in deed and word?
Love. Gilbert’s book concludes that happiness “is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.” In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus doesn’t get caught up in earthly riddles. Instead he reminds us that our God is “not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive.” Now that’s a happy ending! It is, however, also a challenge to think in terms beyond the personal.
In Eat, Pray, Love, Gilbert’s subject is herself—and that’s what limits her journey for me. Instead of stories that focus on individual answers, I think I’ll look for stories that focus on the self in service of others, stories that ask “What do we believe? What good can we do in deed and word?”
Laura Brady is a professor in the English department at WVU and a member of St. John’s.
Watch:
Entertaining Angels
Questions of the Week:
What do we believe? What good can we do in deed and word?
As the full title of the book explains, Eat, Pray, Love is the story of writer Liz Gilbert’s “search for everything in Italy, India, and Indonesia.” I think the readings this week tell the story of an entire faith community’s “search for everything” in God.
Eat. Liz Gilbert travels to Italy to focus on the joys and pleasures in life. Her descriptions are great, but beyond gelato, what really is at stake? Contrast this to the trip we take with 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14. A woman and her seven sons are faced with a choice: eat pork in violation of their beliefs—or die. One by one, they choose to die. In their resistance, they affirm their belief in God and in resurrection. It is not a happy story, but it is a compelling one that asks, “What do we believe?”
Pray. The first time Liz Gilbert tries to speak to God, she says, “It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, ‘I’ve always been a big fan of your work.’ ” I like the line, but St. Paul is more eloquent—and more generous—as he prays for us: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father . . . encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.” What good can we do in deed and word?
Love. Gilbert’s book concludes that happiness “is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.” In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus doesn’t get caught up in earthly riddles. Instead he reminds us that our God is “not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive.” Now that’s a happy ending! It is, however, also a challenge to think in terms beyond the personal.
In Eat, Pray, Love, Gilbert’s subject is herself—and that’s what limits her journey for me. Instead of stories that focus on individual answers, I think I’ll look for stories that focus on the self in service of others, stories that ask “What do we believe? What good can we do in deed and word?”
Laura Brady is a professor in the English department at WVU and a member of St. John’s.
Watch:
Entertaining Angels
Questions of the Week:
What do we believe? What good can we do in deed and word?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)