Reflection of todays gospel

What do childrens' games have to do with the kingdom
of God? Games are the favorite pastime of children who play until their
energy is spent. The more interaction the merrier the game. The children
in Jesus' parable react with disappointment because they cannot convince
others to join in their musical play. They complain that when they make
merry music such as played at weddings, no one dances or sings along; and
when they play mournful tunes for sad occassions such as funerals,
it is the same dead response. This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes
3:4, there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and
a time to dance. Both joyful and sad occassions such as the birth
of a child and the homecoming of a hero or the loss of a loved one and
the destruction of a community or nation demand a response. To show indifference,
lack of interest or support , or disdain, is unfitting and unkind.
Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is a proclamation of good news
that produces great joy and hope for those who will listen; but it is also
a warning of disaster for those who refuse to accept God's gracious offer.
Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with
resistance and deaf ears? It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness
that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist's austerities
to the devil and they attributed Jesus' table fellowship as evidence for
messianic pretense. They succeeded in frustrating God's plan for their
lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of John
the Baptist and now they close their ears to Jesus.

What can make us spiritually dull and slow to hear God's voice? Like
the generation of Jesus' time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt,
especially in regards to the things of God's kingdom. Indifference dulls
our ears to God's voice and to the good news of the gospel. Only the humble
of heart who are hungry for God can find true joy and happiness. Do you
listen to God's word with expectant faith and the willingness to trust
and obey?

"Lord Jesus, open my ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and
set my heart free to love and serve you joyfully. May nothing keep me from
following you wholeheartedly."

This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

a word on servant leadership

In training today I had an incredible officer sum up the type of leader I pray to be:

"The formation does not exist for you...you exist for the formation"

He asked the room how we were preparing ourselves to be a servant leader. Soldier work in a unified manner, and as I leader I must become a part of that unity...working alongside as I lead from behind. I had never really thought about how the formation does not rest in whether I am there or not...but if the formation is not there that falls on my leadership (or rather my inabilities). It's about the soldiers in front of me...who they are as people, what their life story is. It's not necessarily about my leadership and how I can get ahead...but what can I do better to prepare the person in front of me to be a better citizen. How can I help them reach their full potential.

In the bible it even says:

"and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

~Matthew 20:27-28

and so I pray for the strength to ransom my life as well as I commit to being a servant leader and existing for the formation...

The first Mass

It's a Sunday...you can tell...the graces of a Sunday are so evident.

 Sundays are different because it is a time for the faithful gather and celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. It's a time to be with families (or remember them if they are not around), and to relax. Today was one of those days. Being in a new place is daunting, but something I look forward to is the church hopping. Yeah, I can't be at my "home" parish...but I am going to see that as an adventure.

Well...Christ took care of me today! I walked into this church and it was so familiar. The architecture resembled my home parish, and the oratory of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia ( a place I often frequented). I laughed inside because OF COURSE I would happen to be closest to this church so I would choose it out of no thought. So OF COURSE it would be the one to most remind me of home as I transition into this new life. The Lord knows my heart.

Well the history of the church is that is was settled by the Germans. So was my home parish...and so was the architect that build the oratory for the Dominicans. The altar is high...drawing your vision heaven-ward. Where the tabernacle is placed is supposed to reflect a tomb...reminding one of what Jesus had to do for our salvation. Just look! altar

And the priest's homily...let me tell you. Super legit!!! Proclaiming the Eucharist as the body blood soul and divinity of Christ. Exclaiming to the parishioners how they need to embrace their Catholic identity, own it, and to not be afraid!

And this whole Sunday has been shrouded in peace...just like a Sunday should.

"Father, creator and ruler of heaven and earth, you made man in your likeness to subdue the earth and master it, and to recognize the work of your hands in created beauty. Grant that your children, thus surrounded on all sides by signs of your presence, may live continually in Christ, praising you through him and with him."
Psalm prayer