Another Thought on Worry!

This is a continuation from the weekend blog because there are a couple items I would like to share from another source. To set the context once again, the gospel this past weekend was from Matthew 6:24-34. In the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples and us, not to worry. The big question to ask is, Why did Jesus focus on worry at this particular time? The answer is: "He preached at a time when almost none of the population had the luxury of thinking about the future. For most people day-to-day survival was all-consuming. Given the rampant poverty, people worried constantly about how they would find enough food, how they would keep their children clothed and how they would manage to stay in their homes. They were preyed upon by Rome and corrupt leaders, and their taxes. These all-consuming worries - and they are very understandable - took up time that should have been devoted to praise and thanksgiving. Putting God first had been co-opted by worry. Thus Jesus warned them that misplaced priorities lead to the worst of our worries. What we must find is the willingness and faith to trust God" (The Priest- Jan. 2011, 29). There is also another quote to think about: "Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away; God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices" -Saint Theresa of Avila. Why do we worry? That is a good question! I think these two sources give us a good answer why we should not worry. Instead, let us place our total faith and trust in God. Have a blessed day!!!

"Don't Worry, Be Happy!"

This was the title of a song that came out a number of years ago. Even friends who are reading this blog will say to me, "Don't worry, be happy." I will admit, I have a tendency to worry and it is nothing new, it has been following me for years. That is why I need to listen to the gospel for this weekend, Matthew 6:24-34. According to the commentary, "Four times in today's Gospel Jesus tells us not to worry. He begs us to believe that our 'heavenly Father knows' what we need" (Magnificat, 371). Of course, worrying does not help us at all, especially our health. As this thought reminds us, "Worrying will not 'add a single moment to your life-span.' What does add length, and depth, and richness to our life is serving our true Master" (371-72). What we need to realize and what I need to realize is that God is in control. We can only change the things that we do in our lives. There are some things that we cannot change and that is where God comes in. It sounds like I need to go find the "Serenity Prayer" and pray it because it says the same thing. In light of the gospel, we need to place our faith and trust in God. We give in to worry and anxiety but we need to learn how to control that. Yes, we will worry about some things but we cannot let ourselves be consumed with worry. Like the psalmist reminds us: "Rest in God alone, my soul" (Ps. 62). Let us find our comfort and peace in God because He is in control. Have a blessed weekend!!!

Faithful Friends!

I hope the readers of this blog have them because I do! I could tell a personal story about having a faithful friend but it is between the friends. Only God can bring that faithful friend, that sturdy shelter into our lives. I would encourage you to read the scripture passage from the Book of Sirach, 6:5-17. The caption at the top of the passage in the Magnificat resource says, "Faithful friends are beyond price" (349). This is how the passage from Sirach concludes, "A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself." Thank God for our faithful friends, our sturdy shelters, our life-saving remedy. When we find a faithful friend we truly find a treasure. God is always watching out for us and He brings people into our lives to walk the journey of life and faith with us. May God help us to always be the best friend that we can be to others. In Christ's Peace!!!

Is It Lent Yet?

Close, but we are still less than two weeks out from beginning this penitential time and this time of renewal. I ask that question because the readings for today give us a reminder that we need to prepare for this upcoming season. The first reading is from Sirach 5:1-8. It is talking about our sinfulness and it calls for us to, "Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day." With the gospel, Mark 9:41-50, Jesus wants us to cut away our sin. He says that if our hand or foot causes us to sin we must cut them off or if our eye causes us to sin we must pull it out. He does not mean that literally, but he wants us to cut away all that hinders us in our relationship with God and one another. That is the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will be an important theme during this Lenten Season. Lent is our annual reminder of what we should be doing in our lives everyday. Turning away from sin, being reconciled to God and one another, and living our call to conversion. May the words from these scripture passages speak to us and help us prepare for the journey of Lent. God Bless You!!!

Saint Polycarp

Today is the Memorial of Saint Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna. He was a disciple of the apostles and a friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. He went to Rome to confer with Pope Anicetus concerning the celebration of Easter. About the year 155 he suffered martyrdom by burning at the stake (Magnificat, 326). I liked the other commentary that was written for this memorial. It goes as follows: "Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist. In old age, following in the footsteps of his master, he died with courage and dignity, preferring the pain of burning to the pain of abandoning his Lord" (Magnificat, 323). We may not be called to a martyrs death, but our call is to remain firm in the Lord and steadfast in faith. We pray that we may follow the example of Saint Polycarp as we live that faith to the fullest. Blessings to you this day!!!

The Chair of Saint Peter

This is a remarkable feast that we celebrate today in the Universal Church. The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter does not focus on a chair, but on what the chair stands for. The Magnificat commentary gives us some thoughts on this feast day. "The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter commemorates the teaching authority of the Vicar of Christ" (314). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "It is this Magisterium's task to preserve God's people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error" so that "the People of God abides in the truth that liberates" (#890). Our current pope, Benedict XVI says, "The Chair represents (the pope's) mission as guide of the entire People of God. Celebrating the 'Chair' of Peter means attributing a strong spiritual significance to it and recognizing it as a privileged sign of the love of God" (314). Like Jesus said to the Peter in the gospel,
Matthew 16:13-19, "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." The Church is built upon the rock of Peter, his confession of faith, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Let this feast lead us to pray for our Holy Father, the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. We thank God for the teaching of the church and for those who are called to shepherd and lead us. May this feast help to renew the faith that we live and profess each day. Saint Peter, pray for us!!!

Saint Peter Damian

We begin our new week by celebrating the memorial of Saint Peter Damian. Saint Peter was born in Ravenna in 1007. He began teaching after completing his studies, but he soon abandoned that and entered the hermitage of Fonte Avellana. Once elected prior of the hermitage, he promoted the religious life with such fervor that all of Italy was affected by this renewal. He worked with the popes during calamitous times and was helped by his works, writings, and various missions on behalf of Church reform. Saint Peter was created a bishop and cardinal by Pope Stephen IX. He died in 1072 and soon afterward was venerated as a saint (Magnificat, 301). The opening prayer for Mass speaks about the key to Saint Peter Damian's life and it is a good example for us. "All-powerful God, help us to follow the teachings and example of Peter Damian. By making Christ and the service of his Church the first love of our lives, may we come to the joys of eternal light"
(301). The key is putting Christ and service to the church first. Let us pray that Saint Peter Damian will intercede for us as we follow his saintly example. God Bless You!!!