Blessed Mother and a Baptist Preacher

The Blessed Mother and a Baptist Preacher

My years as a Baptist minister were filled with study, prayer, countless sermons and all the duties related to being a pastor.

Theological differences led me to seek answers to a number of questions. My presentation detailing why I joined the Catholic Church culminates with a one word answer: the sacraments. Sifting out all the fringe issues it repeatedly came back to the sacraments, specifically Holy Communion.

Well it has been eleven years and Holy Communion still remains the number one reason I became Catholic. Over the years I have discovered numerous additional reasons to become a part of the Catholic family.

I will spare you a mundane list and focus on one treasure. It took me several years to uncover this wonderful gift and still several more years to appreciate it.

This wonderful treasure was not hidden but I focused on other things and almost missed this gem the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As a Baptist minister my knowledge of Mary was limited to the virgin birth. I never questioned the concept of the virgin birth after all it’s in the Bible.

As I began to study in earnest the dogmas surrounding Mary I was quite surprised to find I was in agreement with the assumption of Mary her perpetual virginity and the fact she was born without original sin.

I don’t claim to understand how these things can be but in my limited knowledge they made sense. The chosen one who would bring the Son of God to the world would need to be a vessel without blemish. The ever virgin dogma eliminates all possibility that Joseph was the father. And the assumption completes Mary’s yes to the angel as she surrendered to the will of God.

I was profoundly moved by a lecture given by a priest instructor during my deacon formation classes. The title of the class was Mary’s Yes. Mary set an example for all to follow giving ourselves without reservation to God and his divine will.

I began to examine my motivations and actions in light of Mary’s example and instead of feeling like I was very inadequate I discovered her example to be encouraging.

If I respond to God with a resounding yes to follow him the same Holy Spirit which filled Mary is available to me as well. The same grace is mine the same hope for the future is mine.

From a very limited knowledge of Mary to being the spiritual director for the legion of Mary is quite remarkable. As I continue my spiritual journey I am amazed by the means and methods God uses to bring me to a deeper relationship with him.

There are many hidden treasures in the Catholic Church. I encourage everyone to consider the treasure beyond price The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Hail Mary full of grace blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Twentieth Sunday Ordinary Time
Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
I have come to set the earth on fire, how I wish it were already blazing.
Do you think I have come to establish peace on earth? No I tell you but rather division.
From now on a father will be divided against a son and a son against a father.
Mother against daughter and daughter against mother.
Mother in-law against daughter in-law daughter in-law against mother in-law.

OK what did they do with the real Jesus? My friends this is the same Jesus who uttered from the cross Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

So what are we to make of these statements that seem out of character for our Lord? First of all they are not at all out of character but very much in line with the teachings of Christ.

We are disturbed by these statements because they don’t agree with the gospel we have fashioned around our own interpretation of the teachings of Jesus. Many today choose to practice a gospel of ease and comfort.

Many protestant ministers are preaching a prosperity gospel. Jesus was rich and he wants us to be rich also. The only one getting rich preaching this gospel are the preachers.

Catholics are not immune from following the teachings of Jesus and his Church that meet their needs and leaving the difficult choices to others. This cafeteria style gospel picking this leaving that is akin to allowing a toddler to choose to eat candy for dinner each evening and skipping the vegetables. Our bodies cannot function on a diet of sweets. Our souls can survive on a diet of doing what we think is right.

There are numerous self serve gospels available none of them have received the imprimatur of our Lord.

The gospel Jesus preached brought about division. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow him. We don’t see much division brought about by the preaching of the gospel today. We have become politically correct in our preaching. How long has it been since you heard a homily about the devil? Or a homily condemning the prevalent sins of our society today?

Jesus teachings by their very nature bring about division. So if we don’t see or experience division brought about by the preaching of the gospel maybe we are hearing a gospel Jesus never preached.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

August 15 marks the solemn feast celebrating the dogmatic belief that Mary upon her physical death was assumed body and soul into heaven.

The Church has held this belief from around the 5th century. Pope Pius XII declared as a dogma revealed by God that Mary the immaculate perpetually virgin mother of God after the completion of her earthly life was assumed into heaven.

There are traditions regarding the place time and date of the physical death of the blessed mother. But no definitive knowledge of her death exists.

St. Gregory of Tour provided an explanation for the tradition of the assumption which is related to her having been preserved from original sin. It is inconceivable to think Mary’s sinless body should decay in the grave.

For Christians death is not extinction. Unlike Mary all ordinary mortals the Christian faithful and saints must wait for the second coming of Christ to receive glorified bodies.

You maybe thinking “All of this sounds good but what’s in it for me?” The assumption of Mary into heaven is important to the Church and to each of us individually for the following reasons.

We find hope in Mary’s assumption. One day known only to God we will experience the death of our physical bodies. The only exception will be the second coming of Christ to earth. Death is thought of as an end or maybe an unpleasant experience by some. Our angst will be lessened by the hope Mary’s assumption provides.

The second reason the assumption is important to us has to do with the care and concern Jesus shows to his followers. He said I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am you will be also. We have scripture and the tradition of the assumption to provide hope and peace as we journey toward the end of this life and the hope of heaven.

I greeted a parishioner after mass this morning asking how things were going. He said the golden years are not what they are cracked up to be. Our bodies as the result of the aging process don’t function as they once did.

This brings me to the third reason the assumption of Mary needs to find a special place in our lives. We like Mary will receive a glorified body. I have no idea what this new body will be made of or how it will function. But I will take a new body sight unseen over the one I have now. My present body has served me pretty well to this point but I have noticed some subtle and not so subtle changes. And I know by observing others that the older I get the subtle changes won’t be quite so subtle. So the thought of a new body is quite a comfort.

Comfort is a good thing to have as the day’s race by. I suppose that is one element of Mary’s assumption we all need to consider. I find a great deal of comfort in this ancient tradition of the Church

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Ready or not here he comes

The gospel reading for this Sunday seems out of place. The reading has an Advent flavor.

Advent is a time in the liturgical year the church reflects on the first coming of Christ. It is also a time of anticipating the Lords second coming. And a time for Christians to discover the many ways God enters our lives on a daily basis.

The first and second readings have all the ear marks of the Advent season.

The first reading taken from the book of Wisdom speaks about the awaited salvation of the just. The key word awaited reminds us that we must wait until the time is fulfilled for our Lord to return.

The second reading from Hebrews speaks to us about faith, specifically the faith demonstrated by Abraham. By faith he obeyed God. By faith he sojourned to the promised land. By faith he had a son in his old age.

Our spiritual journey is much like that of Abraham. By faith we wander the land in search of the promised land we call heaven. At times our hearts are heavy and our burdens are almost unbearable.

We long for the day we meet Jesus face to face. We long for the day when we will be reunited with loved ones. We long for the day when we can feast at the Lords table for all eternity.

So why are these readings placed in ordinary time? We need to be reminded that our spiritual journey is made up of anticipation waiting and preparation. These tasks are to be undertaken year round not just during Advent.

We must be ready

The scripture tells to gird our loins. The dress of the day for men was a flowing robe. They hiked up the robe and tucked it in and went to work. We must be prepared for the journey.

We must light our lamps. Our master might return during the third or fourth watch. Our lamp allows us to see any one who might approach. Our light will be a sign to our Lord that we are vigilant.

We must be Vigilant

The word vigilant means to be alert to watch and to stay awake. We don’t want the Lord to find us asleep when he returns. Remember Jesus praying in the garden in agony. He returned to the disciples to find them asleep. How many Christians will Jesus find asleep when he returns?

We must be prepared

For at an hour you do not expect the son of man will come. The church has provided all we need to prepare ourselves for his return. The sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion received on a regular basis will provide for our spiritual needs.

If Jesus returns today will you be glad to see him?

Will he be glad to see you?

Vanity Vanity all is Vanity - - - -

Vanity Vanity all is Vanity….

The first reading taken from the book of Ecclesiastes sets the theme and tone for the readings this 18th Sunday in ordinary time.

Vanity is defined as excessive pride in ones appearance or accomplishments. Excessive pride in our accomplishments is vanity Ecclesiastes continues “All his days sorrow and grief is his occupation. Even at nights his mind is not at rest”.

Have you ever spent sleepless nights wondering how to maintain a life style that your current income cannot support? Keeping up with the Jones family who has what appears to be a perfect life.

It might surprise many to learn that this seemingly perfect family is trying to keep up with the Smith family. The average family is carrying a credit card debt of about $9,000.00. Vanity all is vanity.

Today’s second reading taken from the book of Colossians continues the excess theme. Put to death the parts that are earthly immorality impurity passion evil desires and greed.

Excessive focus on our desires wants and supposed needs are vanity. As Christians we are new creatures in Christ. We are to put to death vanity laden excesses.

The gospel reading from Luke for today focuses on a parable of a rich man who demonstrates for us that material excess to the loss of ones soul as vanity.

He has a bountiful harvest and wonders to himself what shall I do? His storage facilities are not large enough to store the harvest. This is what I shall do. He decides to tear down his existing barns and build bigger barns. Today we don’t bulldoze barns we rent storage facilities to store our excess. When he completes his construction project and gets his harvest stored he says now as for you rest, eat drink and be merry. You have goods stored up for many years to come.

But God says you fool this night your life will be required of you. Oops! Just about the time we seem to have every thing in hand God says….

Notice the vast difference between the rich mans view of his circumstances and God’s.

First there is the sudden death that we never seem to take into account. Won’t happen to me, think not glance at the obituaries on any given day and you will see death is no respected of age.

The rich man had not considered death in his near future. He was ready to relax and party. He had a plans that did not include a spiritual score card if you will. He was possessed with a retirement plan.

God poses a question to the rich man about who will own his possessions following his death. No answer is recorded. The rich man had never considered that someone else might enjoy the fruits of his labor.

The second difference between the two opposing views is this attitude. This parable is not simply about the dangers of possessions.

The rich man had a problem, came up with a workable solution and problem solved. Notice no consideration is given to how God might be involved in this problem solving exercise.

Simply put what role dose God play in our everyday lives? Are we willing to allow God to make his presence felt in our lives? Or do we simply go about our business like the rich man thinking and planning for a future that may not ever come. He was rich in worldly things but not rich in what matters to God.

Spend some quiet time today reflecting on what matters to God.

Vanity Vanity all is Vanity…….

Remember all vanities are not dressers.

Faith Family and the FBI

I wonder from time to time how adversity and change affect faith and family. Change and adversity are part of our life experience. I enjoy reading stories from the Old Testament about the struggles of an ancient people. The insights have helped me in my daily walk of faith. So I want to share with you a major change taking place in my family in hopes it will be a beacon of hope to all who are struggling with change.

My wife and I have three grown children. One daughter and two sons, the boys are married and we have two wonderful daughter in laws. Truth be told I could not have done better if I picked them myself. Our youngest son lives in California and is a youth pastor and very active in his church. Our daughter lives in Florida and is a college professor with a Masters degree in English. I am very proud of all three of our children.

The change in our family centers around our oldest son Bill and his family. We have one grandson Hunter who will be three in October. Those of you that have grandchildren know the joy they provide to a family. Those of you who don’t have grandchildren must think we are a bit possessed. They live about eight miles from us so we see them often.

Bill received a call from the FBI this week and he has been accepted into the FBI. He has worked very hard over the past three years and has passed every test they threw his way. I cannot express how proud I am of him and his accomplishment.

Well as you might have guessed the big change is they will be moving following six months of training Bill must complete.

While I am happy for Bill, he has the opportunity to do something few get the chance to do. On the other hand sadness dampens the joy. The selfish side of we wonders why he could not stay here and things remain just as they are. Yes I know the answer but right now I don’t like it very much. To say the least this is a major change in our family.

Part of the angst is the unknown element which surrounds the change. Where will they go, how often can we visit and so on. You maybe wondering how often we visit our son in California we have been there once in five years. Our daughter we see once a year or so. So what’s the problem? Bill and his family made the absence of the others bearable.

The Old Testament stories I mentioned are marked by situations much more difficult than the change I have shared. Yet until I have a chance to process this change it seems huge from where I sit.

So where do I go from here? Well I trust faith will kick in at some point and rational thinking will have to do until faith breaks through.

Rationally I know that I will see Hunter, Bill and Mont just not as often and who knows where this road may lead our family. I don’t know the destination so I need to focus on the journey.

Along with faith I have the love and support of my wife Beckey. She has walked with me over the years and we have shared the joys and struggles of family and faith. She is my best friend and the love of my life. This is not the first or last change we will face.

Yes I am struggling a bit with this pending change. But my faith, my wife and my family will pull me through.

It is my prayer that those of you facing change or challenges find hope in my struggle.

The Survey Says.......

Researchers at the University of Texas Austin conducted a survey to discover why people have sex.

The first study asked 400 people to list reasons why they had sex. The follow up study involved 1500 people ranking the reasons they have sex based on the reasons provided by the participants of the first study.

The reasons were compiled and a top ten for men and women were listed. The bottom ten for men and women were also listed.

I noticed a couple of reasons that quite frankly were a surprise. Several reasons were bazaar but I should have expected nothing less from a sex survey.

So why bother writing about a sex survey? Because of the two reasons, that I found very telling, about our understanding of sex and relationships.

1. The number one reason men and women have sex is physical attraction.

Why is that a surprise? I expected as much from the men but the women responding the way they did is I think a change of great proportion. If memory serves me correctly twenty years ago women had sex because they were in love. So what is the big deal? Women apparently have had a change of heart no pun intended. They are not as emotionally invested as in the past.

2. The number ten position of the bottom ten list revealed that men and women agree the last reason people have sex is to get closer to God.

I suppose God getting honorable mention in a sex survey is a shock to most people. But lets be honest God is in last place in the bedroom according to the survey.

I heard this sex survey discussed on Fox news. Much of the discussion was centered on the apparent changes in thinking with regards to why we have sex. But getting closer to God was not mentioned. The fact that God made the survey is less telling than the fact that God is in last place.

Well God in last place in the bedroom is just one more place God has been relegated to last by many in our society.

Our creator the fullness of love created us as sexual beings. We like our first parents Adam and Eve are brought together by God, marry have families and provide a sacramental physical sign of God’s love to our world.

Sex as God intended is a beautiful union between a man and women joined by God in the sacrament of marriage. The children produced by their union are signs of the completeness of their love.

Sex as portrayed in our society today is far from what our creator intended.

Is it any wonder God is in last place, when those responding to the survey are living by sight (physical attraction) and not by faith?