Pilgrim Priest

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • Seek humility and honors will come to you. Jesus models this humility when he welcomes the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Through the Mass heaven comes to earth and we are caught up into heaven. It is a place of encounter with God and His people. Jesus wants us to welcome others as He welcomes us.

(28 Aug 2016)

Point to Ponder: What would your life look like every week you invited new faces into your home?

Point to Discuss: Throw a dinner for strangers. Don’t worry about what they will think of your messy house, just try to enjoy their company.

Photo from Diocese of Hamilton

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • Will few be saved, or many? Jesus doesn’t answer the question. Instead he says, “Strive to enter in.” Healthy living is possible for everyone but it requires hard work. Golf is simple but it isn’t easy. There’s lots of ways to do it badly; it requires discipline to do it well. Hitting the ball well is a narrow door.

In a similar way, all humans are called to a life of self-giving love. Its simple but it isn’t easy. It requires a lot of discipline and practice. All of us were made for greatness, and we can achieve it with God’s help, as long as we strive to enter in.

(21 Aug 2016)

Point to Ponder: Where in your life do you have good discipline? Where do you need better discipline?

Point to Discuss: What percent of the human race will make it to heaven? How would you know? Talk to some friends about it.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • Despite my running conversion, my body still complains. We face resistance within ourselves. We also face resistance all around us. Jeremiah stayed faithful to God in the face of resistance. God isn’t welcome in our schools, our nation, or our personal lives. Those who listen to the voice of God find themselves unpopular and unwelcome. We must face remain faithful in the face of resistance. The saints surround us a cheer us on. Keep your eyes on the coach and you’ll be able to keep running the race.

 

(14 Aug 2016)

Point to Ponder: Check out ActivPrayer

Point to Discuss: What would happen if you told a coworker, neighbor or fellow student about your faith in God? Try it and see.

Matthew Kelly just released a book about this very topic. Check it out.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • God wants us to invest in other people. And God has been investing in us.  Leah Darrow discovered she had spent all her gifts and talents on herself. God was disappointed that she had nothing to offer him. What do you have to give back to God?

(7 Aug 2016)

Point to Ponder: Next time you are at Mass consider your offering from the previous week. What do you have to offer God?

Point to Discuss: Do you ever feel that God is disappointed in you? Talk to a friend about where that feeling is coming from.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • Everything is a puff a wind or a bubble; it pops when you grab it. Wealth and possessions, power, fame, youth and health: all bubbles. They are not bad but they do not give security.  “We are far too easily pleased,” says CS Lewis.

How can we be rich in what matters to God? “Faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13:13). Our relationship with God will endure forever. Hope in God’s Kingdom will not burst. And works of charity and love are eternal. People matter more to God than possessions. Invest in others and you will be rich in what matters to God.

(31 Jul 2016)

Point to Ponder: How does the time and energy you are investing in your spouse, parents, family, and children really compare to the investment you are making in career and possessions? Be honest with yourself about this question.

Point to Discuss: Get a few friends to read The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis and then discuss it together.

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) · God is perfectly transcendent (above and beyond) and also totally imminent (right in front of us). We must be persistent in our prayer, just like Abraham was persistent. What about when we don’t get what we want? Our Father knows what is best, and wants what is best for us. Sometimes we are the ones standing in the way. But beyond the things we need, the greatest gift God can give is the gift of himself. “The answered prayer was that they knew God was there.”

(24 Jul 2016)

Point to Ponder: Check out the book Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler

Point to Discuss: Ask a friend about a time that God answered prayers. How did your friend feel when they knew a prayer had been answered?

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) · What if instead of “so much going on” you had only one thing to worry about? Abraham only worries about making his visitors feel welcome. Martha has Jesus in her home but is too anxious and worried to actually listen to Him. We need to look at Jesus and through him simplify our lives. Jesus doesn’t want to be just one more thing in your busy schedule; Jesus is the One Thing.

(17 July 2016)

Point to Ponder: How much does my idea of hospitality resemble Martha’s?

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about a time you really felt welcome. What can you learn from the experience about true hospitality?

Image Credit: Prince of Peace by Akiane Kramarik

 

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) · Jesus sends out 72 disciples on the King’s business. St. Paul wants nothing more than to accomplish God’s will. And this will of God leads his people to abundant blessings. Are we really doing the will of God? Or does God need to tell us, “Get out of my way.”

Holy Trinity Parish just celebrated 20 years. Our congregation has shrunk and our church building no longer serves our needs. Where is God leading our community? We know God has a beautiful future prepared for us. Doing the will of God is how we get there.

(3 Jul 2016)

Point to Ponder:

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about how a church building can help — or hinder — the mission of God.

Image created by Steve Vogel

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) · Nine years ago I celebrated my first Mass and preached on these same readings. I hear Jesus reminding his priests: you won’t always be welcome, you can’t count on having a home, I am more important than family, and don’t look back.

I thought priesthood would be about knowing what to do and telling people what to do. But our first reading tells us that priesthood is really about listening to God and teaching others to listen to Him. The voice of God always reminds us to serve others instead of serving ourselves. He who gives of himself receives Jesus in return. And Jesus is worth more than what was left behind.

(26 Jun 2016)

Point to Ponder: Pray for the newly ordained or for a priest that you know.

Point to Discuss: Think of a priest whom you really admire. Discuss with your family or friends how he reflects the love of Jesus.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) · My brother Omar killed my brothers and sisters in the Pulse nightclub. We need more than a change of law; we need a change of heart. Jesus offers us a blood transfusion. Jesus lives and dies on the firm foundation of His Father’s love. If you have the blood of Jesus in your veins, you too can respond to evil with the Works of Mercy.

(19 Jun 2016)

Point to Ponder: Spend a little time with The Washington Post’s excellent article The Math of Mass Shootings. Pray for the victims. And the shooters.

Point to Discuss: Why do you think there are mass shootings? Talk to a friend about what you think is behind this phenomenon.

Point to Live: Do a Work of Mercy this week.