Isaiah 58: 9b-14, Psalm 86: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, Luke 5: 27-32
What if Jesus came to me as he did to Levi and said, “Follow me.” What would I do? Could I get up and leave everything to follow him? Could I leave all that I have worked for to follow him? Could I give up everyTHING – my career, my home, all that I have worked for – to follow Jesus?
It is so easy today to get wrapped up into material fortune and lose sight of all the riches, the spiritual fortune, we have in following Jesus’ way. It is difficult to try not to get lost in material possessions that seem to play so much a part in today’s society. Even in the workforce, representing and advocating for a client’s interest, I face that constant struggle and battle which always seems to revolve around money. Whether the argument is not enough or too much, the evil turns itself on money.
The struggle between material and spiritual fortune presents itself on a daily basis. No matter what career path you are in, whether it’s working in the business world or working in the trades, oftentimes, the focus of all decisions rest on the “bottom line.” A focus on money, possessions or material things can drain you spiritually.
In Psalm 86, David prays, “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” When immersed in the battles of the material world, I need to take that struggle and seek out God’s help. Prayer, reflection and humbly asking God’s guidance strengthen me to overcome that conflict between spiritual and material needs. I need to turn to God for strength. God has given me many talents, blessings and gifts. It is with these gifts, skills and knowledge that I, as a follower of Jesus Christ, am called to help those who are less fortunate or in need.
John Cichon, married to Kim, father to Paul and Kathryn, Attorney
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
February 27th (2.20.15), Friday after Ash Wednesday
Isaiah 58: 1-9a, Psalm 51: 3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19, Matthew 9: 14-15
All three readings mention an activity that I am not very good at----fasting. Every time I try to deprive myself of food or drink---whether dieting to lose weight, or fasting for the Lord, or giving up something for Lent, it seems like my temptation meter runs at full speed, and I find myself falling short time and time again. Then, I am disappointed in myself, and think, “Jesus gave His life for me, the ultimate sacrifice, and I can’t stop myself from eating for a day?” I feel that I fall so short of what is expected of me, and I feel I am not alone in that thought.
But again and again the scriptures point out that God does not want our symbolic actions. While fasting in a prayerful manner from time to time may help our personal relationship with God, based on scripture it seems He is looking for a more meaningful form of fast, as pointed out in Isaiah, “The fasting I wish: releasing those bound unjustly…..sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” Doing these things, for many of us, is much harder to do (yet much more rewarding) than a traditional fast.
Also, the reading from Psalms indicates that rather than just giving up food and drink, that God wants to see “a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled.” The scriptures tell us if we come to God in this way, we won’t be “spurned” by God, but our sacrifice will be accepted.
More importantly, the Gospel points out that when Jesus was confronted by John’s disciples, and the Pharisees, who faithfully and publicly fasted, they asked Jesus why his disciples did not fast, and Jesus responded: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” For me, this means Jesus is always with me, no matter the circumstance. In the big picture, if I fall short during Lent, or anytime, but come back to Him with a “humbled and contrite heart,” then I know that Jesus will be there, as always, patiently waiting on me to relax and realize He is always “with me.”
Todd Nuelle, married to Kathy, father of five, joined the Catholic Church through RCIA in 2008
All three readings mention an activity that I am not very good at----fasting. Every time I try to deprive myself of food or drink---whether dieting to lose weight, or fasting for the Lord, or giving up something for Lent, it seems like my temptation meter runs at full speed, and I find myself falling short time and time again. Then, I am disappointed in myself, and think, “Jesus gave His life for me, the ultimate sacrifice, and I can’t stop myself from eating for a day?” I feel that I fall so short of what is expected of me, and I feel I am not alone in that thought.
But again and again the scriptures point out that God does not want our symbolic actions. While fasting in a prayerful manner from time to time may help our personal relationship with God, based on scripture it seems He is looking for a more meaningful form of fast, as pointed out in Isaiah, “The fasting I wish: releasing those bound unjustly…..sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” Doing these things, for many of us, is much harder to do (yet much more rewarding) than a traditional fast.
Also, the reading from Psalms indicates that rather than just giving up food and drink, that God wants to see “a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled.” The scriptures tell us if we come to God in this way, we won’t be “spurned” by God, but our sacrifice will be accepted.
More importantly, the Gospel points out that when Jesus was confronted by John’s disciples, and the Pharisees, who faithfully and publicly fasted, they asked Jesus why his disciples did not fast, and Jesus responded: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” For me, this means Jesus is always with me, no matter the circumstance. In the big picture, if I fall short during Lent, or anytime, but come back to Him with a “humbled and contrite heart,” then I know that Jesus will be there, as always, patiently waiting on me to relax and realize He is always “with me.”
Todd Nuelle, married to Kathy, father of five, joined the Catholic Church through RCIA in 2008
Thursday, February 26, 2009
February 26th (2.19.15), Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20, Psalm 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6, Luke 9: 22-25
All three readings today present me with the same choices as the ancient Israelites and the disciples of Jesus. I must choose between life – with God, or death – life without God.
How do I choose life? Moses tells his people, “If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God… loving him, and walking in his ways…you will live…and the Lord, your God, will bless you.”
The writer of the psalm says that, “The Lord watches over the way of the just…”those who obey his laws. All of this is important to my relationship with God, but more is expected of me.
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus tells us very clearly, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” When I reflect on my life, it is those times of loss, rejection, disappointment, and even times when I was pushed beyond my comfort zone that made a difference. I had to focus on what was important and trust God. I know I did not realize it then, but these were definitely times when my faith was strengthened. Jesus goes on to say, “…whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Here he presents another challenge. Losing my life for his sake means I have to continually put aside my ways and act as he would. This is not easy, convenient or even without pain. However, all along the way I have his love and support.
God is for us. He wants us to choose life – with him. Are we willing to take the risks and make the right choice?
Carole Monaco, wife, mother, retired teacher
All three readings today present me with the same choices as the ancient Israelites and the disciples of Jesus. I must choose between life – with God, or death – life without God.
How do I choose life? Moses tells his people, “If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God… loving him, and walking in his ways…you will live…and the Lord, your God, will bless you.”
The writer of the psalm says that, “The Lord watches over the way of the just…”those who obey his laws. All of this is important to my relationship with God, but more is expected of me.
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus tells us very clearly, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” When I reflect on my life, it is those times of loss, rejection, disappointment, and even times when I was pushed beyond my comfort zone that made a difference. I had to focus on what was important and trust God. I know I did not realize it then, but these were definitely times when my faith was strengthened. Jesus goes on to say, “…whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Here he presents another challenge. Losing my life for his sake means I have to continually put aside my ways and act as he would. This is not easy, convenient or even without pain. However, all along the way I have his love and support.
God is for us. He wants us to choose life – with him. Are we willing to take the risks and make the right choice?
Carole Monaco, wife, mother, retired teacher
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
February 25th (2.18.15), Ash Wednesday
Joel 2: 12-18, Psalm 51: 3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17, 2 Corinthians 5: 20 -- 6:2, Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18In the first reading, the Prophet Joel proclaims that this is the time to individually and communally come together to not only be mindful of our offenses against the Lord, but to also fast and be repentant.
What struck me immediately was the second sentence where the Lord says, “Return to me with all your heart.” Though baptized Catholic, I was raised in a home without faith. I lived my life into adulthood rarely thinking of God. Then, in August of 2000, my fifteen year old daughter was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I felt helpless, and didn’t know were to turn. Somehow I ended up in a women’s CRHP retreat. It was there that I awoke to the loving presence of God in my life. It was the beginning of my faith journey.
I let the Holy Spirit guide me and said, “Yes”, to every invitation that God gave me. I joined retreats, classes and committees in our parish. A change began to come over me. I felt peaceful, confident, and happy. My heart was so full, I thought it would burst. God was the center of my life. Since then I have strayed from my faith a few times, but never so much as in the past couple of years. I began to drift away and fill myself with other things that I felt were important. A couple of months ago, I found myself feeling, irritable, unhappy and depressed. My heart was empty. People began to call me and ask me where I’d been, they said they hadn’t seen me around St. Raymond’s for awhile. I made up excuses, but in my heart I knew what I had to do. I prayed to God and asked for his forgiveness. I promised to surrender and asked for the strength to follow his will for me. A couple of days later, I received a letter from St. Raymond’s asking me if I’d be willing to write a reflection for the one of the daily scripture readings during Lent.
When I read the first reading, I began to cry. I knew that it was meant for me to reflect on. God was answering my prayer and asking me to return to him. Since then, I have helped with the recent CRHP weekend and gone back to Mass. My heart is beginning to fill again, and I know that if I keep my life God centered, and continue to say, “Yes,” I will once again feel the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life.
Though we may stray many times on our faith journeys, it is always comforting to know that God always forgives us, gives us yet another chance and welcomes us back with his unconditional and steadfast love.
Debbie Petitt, wife, mother of four & grandmother of one
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