Making a Joyful Noise through Lent –
03/28/2014
“Let us go forth, then, let us go forth
to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ. Here I repeat for the entire Church
what I have often said to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a
Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the
streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from
clinging to its own security.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)
Pope Francis’ words today paint a
picture of the kind of Church he wants and doesn’t want. He wants a Church that
is close to the Kingdom. He wants a Church of people live with the joy of the
Gospel.
I have always been a bit jealous of the
scribe in today's Gospel because Jesus says at the end of the exchange that the
scribe is not far from the Kingdom of God. For me it would be a comfort to know
that I was not far from the Kingdom. It is one of my greatest worries. I try to
live a good and faithful life but there are times when I look around and wonder
if I have missed the boat! I listen to people talk about their faith, I see
their actions, I am aware of what they think is important and valuable in terms
of faith, church, belief and religion and I wonder if I have taken the wrong
path.
Sometimes I wonder if what I believe
brings me close to the Kingdom? The Church as it stands today seems a far cry
from the Church that Jesus seems to be putting together as we read the Gospel.
Our religious leaders often, not always, seem to be closer to the scribes and
Pharisees than to the disciples of Jesus. The institution we call Church often
seems closer to the institution that Jesus often challenged and confronted
during his ministry.
We seem to take some words in the
scriptures at face value but others are glossed over and interpreted in ways
other than what they say. We seem to be absolutely sure of what Jesus said,
meant or wanted in certain situations and yet we discount or ignore other
things because they don't seem to fit into the institution.
Yet there is hope as we continue to
encounter the gift of Pope Francis. There is a hope that we will capture the
joy of the Gospel. There is a hope that we will re-discover the Spirit of
Christ.
I pray. I try to love whomever I meet. I
truly value my relationship with God. I care about people no matter who they
are and what they have done. I try to find God in all people. I value life in
all forms. I want to be of help to people who struggle. I want to be a
welcoming, forgiving person, religious and priest. I want to help people know
and believe in God. Yet at times I am not sure whether I am on the right path.
I don't always pray in traditional ways. I am more willing to accept a person
where they are even if they don't fit into the laws of the institution. I want
to dialog. I want to find a way for all to be close to the Kingdom. I don't
want to judge. I don't want to be self-righteous and I certainly don't have all
the answers.
I want to live Hosea's words today, I
want to return to the Lord, but I am not always sure the institution takes me
in that direction. I live to be a man of faith, I live to be a man of hope, I
live to be a man of joy and I live to be a man of love. I pray that like the
scribe I am a man close to the Kingdom of God!
Have a graced filled Friday everyone and
don’t forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!
Daily Lenten Prayer: O God of all
good gifts, fill our hearts with your loving presence. Grace us with the wisdom
to recognize the way to your Kingdom. Enliven us with your word, your spirit
that we may walk the path you have set before us. Give us the understanding to
live your commandments of love with joy. Help us to get beyond ourselves and
value the gift of others. May we always be a people who seek your Kingdom by
living in the hope of your joy and love. Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Remember
running can give us spiritual focus. When we run we have the time to be a
person of prayer. It can be a prayer of few or many words. It can be one prayer
or many prayers. It can be a simple breath that brings God into our being and
it can be the exhaustion of give all to God as we finish our run.
Daily Blessing: TGIF to all
today! I hope you have had a good week. The mission at St. Patrick’s ended last
evening with a wonderful closing celebration. It was truly a graced filled
experience and I think the Spirit was very present throughout the week. Many
thanks to the staff and the people of St. Patrick’s!
So I was home last night by 10 pm, my
clothes were in the wash by 10:15 and in the dryer by 11 pm. I was packed again
by midnight, then to bed for a short three plus hours of sleep. Then it was up
by 3:45 am and off to the airport by 4:30 am. I am headed to Garden City, Texas
today on a 7 am flight in order to begin a Parish Mission on Saturday at St.
Lawrence Parish. Garden City is about an hour from Midland, Texas which they
tell me is in the middle of nowhere. I just hope I get somewhere today as I
will be flying through Denver and spending four and a half hours in their
beautiful airport! I hope to get to Garden City around 6:30 pm.
I am now sitting in Denver Airport
trying to figure out what time it is, well I have four hour to figure it out!
I am looking forward to another mission.
So far it has been a wonderful Lent for me. I have been in many different
places and I know the Church is alive no matter what the media says at time!
My blessing prayer today is that you day
will be more restful, peaceful and short than mine. That God will bless all of
you with a peace end to this work week and the joy of a weekend with family,
friends and many good experiences. Be well and safe friends, have a great day
and a wonderful weekend where ever you are and whatever you are doing. Please
remember me and the people who will have to put up with me in your prayers! God
blessing upon all today and always…more from the middle of nowhere tomorrow! Peace
in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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