Making a Joyful Noise though Lent – 04/03/2014
“The great danger in today’s world,
pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a
complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and
a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own
interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the
poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer
felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers
too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no
way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is
it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen
Christ.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium:
The Joy of the Gospel)
The words of Pope Francis today echo the
theme of our scriptures today. Where is our focus? What do we let get in the
way of the presence of God in our live? What becomes our molten calf? We must remain
focused on the presence and gift of God in our life!
The readings (Exodus 32:7-14 and John
5:31-47) seem to have a common theme: the inclination for us to trade what God
offers us for something of less value and splendor. At times I have heard the term
“laudable exchange” used in reference to giving up the things of earth for the
things of heaven. Our scriptures warn us that often we do just the opposite.
In the Exodus reading today the people get
focused on a molten calf as a god they think will help them. They have bought
into the world around them. No matter what God has done for them they think a
calf statue can do better. They have given up on the living God and replaced
him with a god they made with their own hands. These are the very people who
have seen wondrous tings from God, these are the very people who were free by
their journey through the Red Sea at the hand of God. Yet, somehow they miss the
fact that God loves them and cares for them. They seem to think that God is distant
and they wanted something that they can see and touch. Let we often do they
made a god to suit their specifications, to do what they think needs to be
done. The outcome of all this stupidity is that they truly anger God.
The pslam for today’s mass (Psalm
106:19-20, 21-22, 23) points out their folly. “They exchanged their glory for
the image of a grass-eating bullock.” They exchanged the glory of God for the
glory of a human man calf. We are reminded that the only glory that we humans
will ever have is the glory that comes from God, the glory that essentially is
God. We have been created in the image and likeness of this glorious God and
what a disrespect of God when we exchange that our love for God for some
creation of our own hands.
The gospel today is a very dense section
of John and it is difficult to do it justice with my little reflection. The religious
leaders reject Jesus and exchange his testimony, his life, for that of others.
For a time they like John the Baptist but grow tired of him. If others come
tooting their own horns, they listen to them. They are able to accept anybody
and everybody but Jesus. They love Moses, or so they say. A question one might
ask would be if they were alive at the time of Moses would they have followed
Moses are been right in there helping to make a god out of pieces of gold?
There is truth in the term “laudable
exchange” to give up the things of this earth and embrace God. During Lent we
do certain things in the hope that doing without will keep us focused on God. We
sometimes do positive things or spend a little extra time in prayer with the
same hope. These are wonderful practices however, we must constantly remind ourselves that what
we do doing Lent should help us to focus on God. If we remain focused on these
things, then how am I any different than the people in the days of Moses who
exchanged a thing God?
Let us be focused today on God, let us
lift our eyes to and see the thing that are of God today!
Have a great Thursday everyone! Don’t
forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!
Daily Lenten Prayer: Compassionate
God, At times our hearts get out of focus. When this happens everything becomes
an effort, life is difficult and we struggle to be faithful. In these moments
remind me of Your Son’s words “For human beings it is impossible, but not for
God. All things are possible for God” Do not let us be afraid and thus give in
to life’s troubles and create our own molten calf. Rather help us, stay close
to you, by reaching out to others, doing something creative with passion, and
always living the fullness of life. Enliven us always in Your Holy Spirit of
hope, so that we may live life with Passion together. And may the Passion of
Jesus Christ be always in my heart! Amen.
A Runner’s Thoughts: You have to
wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself
a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it
started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement. (Steve
Prefontaine)
Daily Blessing: Happy Thursday
everyone! At this moment I am sitting in Midland, Texas Airport waiting for my
flight to Houston and then on to New York. So far everything is going smoothly.
I hope the same is true for you!
We had a very spirited closing to the
mission last night. Before the closing mass I spent about 45 minutes with the
youth of the parish and even though it took a while I got some good questions
and we had a lively conversation. St. Lawrence is a unique place with fine
faith filled people. They will be in my prayers always. If you could offer a
little prayer for rain in West Texas there will be many people who will
appreciate it!
My prayer of blessing today is that all
of us remain focused on our faith, on our relationship with and on all the
wonderful things God has done for us. May we never give in to hopelessness and
look elsewhere to a god the world creates. Many blessing to all today, success
in your endeavors, safety in your travels and many experiences of God’s
presence throughout the day! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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