WHAT IS THE SEASON OF CREATION?

In the life of Christianity there are gifts that arise that many Church members are not aware of their presence and challenges.  One such gift is the Season of Creation. This begins on September 1 and culminates on October 4, which is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is recognized by most Christian churches as the patron saint of creation . This is an ecology saint!

 

The strength of this season of prayer and reflection is its embrace of all brands of Christianity. It originated in the Orthodox side of Christianity and has been adopted by the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church and most Protestant churches. The concern for the wellbeing of the earth is a force that can draw Christianity together.  

 

Scientists and many concerned persons have been warning us of the warming of the atmosphere and the melting of the ice in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. All parts of humanity are challenged to meet this global crisis.  It is a real danger that humanity’

s use of fossil fuels could so warm the earth that life would be almost impossible. That may be a worst case scenario, but the danger has been pointed out to all who will listen for the past sixty years.  

 

Christianity has been strongly challenged by the ecological crisis. We hear sharp challenges: And what does your Christiaan faith have to offer this crisis? 

 

This is where we go back to our roots and admit that for the past four hundred years Western Christianity has neglected creation. We have so focused our efforts on using all parts of the created world for the benefit of humanity. We have been very neglectful in getting in touch with the harmful effects of humanity’s exploitation of the goods of the earth.

 

The first part of God’s revelation is creation itself. Everything that exists, from the smallest molecule to the infinity cosmos (remember that the cosmos is billions of lights years large) has been created with the love and meaning that God gives it. Even if there was no humanity God is creating in love and meaning. We humans may not be aware of the meaning that God has gives to every single molecule, but it is very present long before humans appeared on the face of the earth.

 

We also need to be reminded that creation is still happening. We are living in the time of God’s creation. 

 

The gift of this Season of Creation can help Christians get in touch with the first source of divine revelation. It can also move us to a stronger compassion for the earth. It can lead us to a more responsible us of the goods of the earth.

 

This is a quiet gift but it can have powerful effect on the life and prayer of all our churches.

 

 

 

 

 

IT IS OUR LIVES THAT SPEAK THE TRUTH

 

Every parent has countless stories about the things their kids have pulled off. But thank goodness for mistakes. Most often, these have become moments of serious learning. This is h ow most of us become good drivers. We have made a few wrong turns and we pay attention to what the driver instructor has taught us.

 

Our Christian life is a journey of failure, learning and being lifted up. We make mistakes. We take ownership of our selfish and sinful attitudes. We wrestle with and struggle with the power of the Holy Spirit to be converted to Gospel living.

 

The most dangerous attitude we could live in is to feel that we are living a good life, and we are in good standing with God. Feeling religious is its own trap. This is why the prophets of the Old Testament railed against all these people who said all the correct prayers but cheated the poor in the business dealings. 

 

The Church, organized to live the gospel, can also fall into the same trap. We refuse to come to grips with the way we live our life and they teachings of Gospel. One of the most glaring contradictions was the practice of slavery by rich Christians over native and black peoples. 

 

One of the best images of what tit means to be Christian is the twelve step programs of the recovering addicts.  They introduce themselves in terms of their struggles: “I am Joe/ Pete/Sam and I am an alcoholic.”  They are owning their woundedness. They are a community of struggle and their woundedness  become their strength towards healing.

 

Life in the Church calls us to be honest – beginning with our own lives. 

 

Come before God and one another to take ownership of how you find it difficult to live with people who are different from yourself: they are not the same skin color, they have a very different culture and they eat different foods. Difficulties do not indicate sinfulness. It is just being honest that difference can be uncomfortable.

 

Every human being is made in the very image of God. Our faith firmly roots us in this truth that there is equality of life, of importance and value in the life of everyone. Our religion challenges us to live up to this truth.

 

Having difficulties does not indicate sinful attitudes. It is when we use these downgrading attitudes to put people who are different from ourselves down. We have a long history to teach us how this degrading can be done. The sins of exclusion from our pas can become the moments that the Holy Spirit is lifting us up to a new way of living with our fellow human beings.

 

It is when we fail, when we are prejudiced and down-putting, that we can discover how our Christiaan faith can lift us up to value each and every human being as the very image of God. We can discover a new sense of equality in those who are different from ourselves.

 

Mistakes are not bad in themselves. They are moments, opportunities to  grow. As we struggle with our sinfulness, the Holy Spirit can be lifting us to new life, new love and joy in the  divine image that is the other person who is different from myself.

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE OUR FAITH LEADS US.

 

Born-Catholics often make the observation that the people who join the Church as adults have a much better grasp of the faith than us ‘born-types.’

 

Whenever an adult has to take a definite stand on any position, they will do so with conviction that often arises from a personal struggle. Should I become a Christian person or should I not? Most often, their position in their life’s journey demands a commitment.

 

The way of the Gospel, given to us by Jesus Christ, leads us into the heart and mind of God. Our faith leads us into the very life and outpouring of the Holy Trintiy. We share the very life and heart of God.

 

Now at the same time, Jesus was trying to get rid of a religion that did all the right things, followed all the rules of the religion game,  but did not seek a change of heart. The message that Jesus taught was to get rid of ‘doing’ religion rather than walking and breathing in the very heart of God. 

 

Today, if our Christian religion is lived authentically, we will see that the Gospel leads us to a deeper love for our fellow human being. This is why the closer we actually draw towards God, the closer we will draw to our fellow human being. People have observed that many of our women and men who are deeply into prayer and immersing themselves in the Gospel, are people who are very concerned about the well-being of the elderly, the homeless and the unemployed. The Gospel always leads us to embrace the poverty and the struggles of the neighbor. 

 

But it does not stop there. The Gospel leads us to see in the other, in the little one, the very face of Jesus Christ. We are being shaped to see that in the face of the poor, is the very face of Ghrist. This is why the final judgement after our death we will be confronted by the risen Christ, and what does he recognize in us? 

 

He will not say, ‘you did good’ but rather he will say, “I was hungry and you gave me food.:(Mt. 25, 35) Jesus identifies with the poor and the forgotten ones. Whatever good we do for others, we are very much doing good toward Jesus Christ.

 

This is why we need daily reminders that whatever good we do towards our neighbor, no matter how small, we are doing good to the Risen Jesus. From a heart shaped by the Gospel of Jesus, we are lead to greater love and service. 

 

Countless Christians before us have lived the teaching of Jesus out in very ordinary but in very radical ways. They have made it a daily practice to reach out to the neighbor.

 

Our Christiaan faith is not static. It moves us powerfully toward much greater love for  others. There is no room for selfish people when you live with Jesus.

BUILDING A SOCIETY WHERE WE TRUST ONE ANOTHER

 

We live in a time when you must be on your guard that you may be scammed, have your bank account cleaned out or have your individual private information used to illegally  to obtain a bank loan. We have all heard of the grandparents-scam where trusting grandparents were hustled out of thousands of dollars. .”

 

Many people share that “if I do not recognize the phone number I will not answer the phone

 

We are living in a time of distrust. 

 

We need to step back for a few moments and reflect on what trust actually is and how essential it is to living and functioning in this society.

 

We learn to trust another human being right from the moment of our birth. Our mother and father care for us. We can count on them to feed us, wash us and protect us from all harm. We learn early that there are dangers in life and we must avoid the dangers and do the good. We are praised for sharing with our two year old sister, with picking up our shoes and know where it is safe to ride our bike and where it is unsafe.

 

Our parents put us on the school bus because they trusted that the bus driver would get us to and from school safely. They dropped us off at the grandparents because they knew that we were always safe with grandma and grandpa.

 

What happens when trust breaks down? How is society coming apart when citizens cannot trust what their government officials are saying or businesses  try to sell us deficient products?

What happens when people in authority take advantage of others and criminally hurt the children and the elderly?

 

The media just loves any occasion to broadcast the failures of our police service, the medical profession, our teachers, the church and prison system. Do we ever hear that anything good has been done by honest, conscientious and upright people?

 

It is in this atmosphere that I am so thankful that our Christian faith so strongly underlines how we are to treat one another. Be as honest and truthful with your neighbor as you would want your neighbor to be honest and trustful with you. 

 

Our prayer ( and our strong desire for action) is that we practice  honesty in all our dealings with others. Practice that your word can always be counted on. 

 

This is also a creative moment to reflect on your own life and your own upbringing. Who were the people that were honest and trustworthy in your life? Who do you count on to always do the right thing?

 

A smile will come to your face when you remember the people who were ‘painfully honest.”

 

Thank the Holy Spirit for every moment that you are challenged to be honest and trustworthy. What a gift to your fellow human beings!

DOUBT IS PART OF THE JOURNEY OF FAITH

         

There are too many people in our churches who feel guilty when they are walking in doubt. They are convinced that to struggle and doubt makes them a bad believer. They live by unrealistic expectations that they should not doubt, be angry with God or just feel indifferent towards prayer at various times in their lives. 

 

The authentic life of faith is just like raising your children (all nineteen years that is). There are good days and then there are prolonged struggles with them. Most days you want to run out and hug them. There are some days when you would gladly trade them in on a more compatible and less stubborn kid!

 

The great teachers of our faith make it very clear that there will be times when we have serious struggles with our God.

 

Unfortunately, our Christian imagination has not given sufficient attention to the wrestling of Jacob and the stranger (i.e., God) who get in a wrestling match all night (Gen. 30, 10-22). Where in our church buildings do we find a painting of this episode? This deficit points to our hesitation to embrace the struggles and hesitations that life with God will entail.

 

We want to reclaim Jacob and the wrestling match as a model for our life of faith. Wrestling is always difficult with sweating, bone crushing and there is always a winner. One man will emerge triumphant over the other. It is never pleasant and it certainly does not smell nice!

 

As we live our lives with God we may reach the point in old age where we seriously question the good God. How can I be so lonely with all my family and friends gone already. I am in this nursing home and can barely feed myself. I need help to go to the bathroom. Where is the good God in all this suffering?

 

Or we may have an eighteen year old nephew who accidently over dosed at a party. This is my sister’s only child! How could she lose such a promising young man in so foolish an accident?

Where is the good God in all our tears? What could we ever have done to deserve this terrible blow to our lives and our future?

 

This is where we need to live the story of the apostle Thomas and his reluctance to believe that Jesus had been raised from the dead (Jn. 20, 24-29) In his doubt and hesitation he laid down conditions for him to accept the new reality that Jesus was risen from the dead: “Unless I touch.”

 

When we hear this story each Easter we are hearing our own story. Thomas is each one of us. We struggle to make the leap of faith. We struggle to accept Jesus on his very word. We might go through long seasons of hesitation and at times outright unbelief, but this is our journey of faith.

 

As a Church of walking and wrestling believers, we are with Thomas, pleading, praying, “Lord, help my unbelief!”

 

 

 

NO ONE WANTS YOUR STUFF

There is a sadness in older parents when they look at their treasured dining room set, or the big screen TV and realize that their adult children do not want these things.  You look at your 2024 SUV and recognize that your son will just sell it to help finance the purchase of a new vehicle on his part.

 

Parents are given the warning: Do not leave your children to clean out all your stuff. 

 

And there is hurt feelings on the part of parents: why would you not value and enjoy my laptop the way I do?  Are your really just going to hand this laptop to a eight year old?

 

A very common experience happened in my own family connection. The thirty-two year old niece was offered her grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s expensive china wear dinning set. She clearly stated: “And I do not want it!” 

 

What is a sign of wealth and success to one generation is just so much useless clutter to the upcoming generation.

 

This Sunday we are given a wake-up call to set the priorities of our lives in order. Our first reading is the reflection of an old man who looks back on his life. All that he worked so hard to accomplish will be forgotten; just like the morning mist disappears with the first beams of sunlight.

 

He looks over his life and moans: “Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity.” (Ecc. 1,2)

What a downer!

 

If the meaning of our life is rooted in what we own or the great feats we have accomplished, it will all come crashing in the end. This is why we must go to the things that are important to us and name them for what they are: merely tools to help us live and live well.

 

Stand beside your truck and say: ‘You’re only a truck. You carry us around well but my grandson will sell you to upgrade his vehicle. You are only a truck!’

 

Vanity of vanities helps us put things in perspective. These are tools to help us live and thrive – but they are only tools. “And I am trying to come to grips with the truth that my children and my grandchildren do not want my stuff!” The things that support and make me feel good will just go out into a garage sale.

 

Enjoy your good furniture; be grateful for your reliable vehicle and the good food you eat every day. Be grateful for the medical care we receive in this country. 

 

Use every thing for what it is: a tool to help us live;  All my stuff is meant  to enjoy life and bring happiness to others.  

 

Your children and grandchildren do not want your stuff. But today, enjoy what you have and enjoy the blessings of God – right here, right now!

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT YOU MUST EXPECT FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH.

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When you walk into a church, what should you expect?

 

If you expect religious services, you will only have to look with getting your children  to have their sacraments, burials for your aged parents and Sunday worship for the very devout.

If you expect to only hear a call to faith and conversion you will only show up to listen and accept the Gospel message, and then you can go home. Your personal expectations will shape what kind of response you will give to the ministry/leadership of the Church.

 

Do not assume that everyone (beginning with your own adult children) share the same understanding of the place of the Church community within our lives.

 

The Church is first and foremost a community of disciples of Jesus Christ. These are the people who have heard the call of Jesus to be one of his own, to share in the life and mission of the Son of God. Immediately, we can see that this faith community is living in relationship with the very Son of God. These are people who are moved and energized by the Holy Spirit.

 

These are not people who do religious things. These are people who live in friendship with Jesus. We are sent to live out of our friendship with Jesus Christ.

 

These are not perfect people and they certainly are not ready-made saints. They have many faults and sinful attitudes. They are a long way from being perfect.  And this is one of the most difficult things about belonging to the Church: they are not saints and often times they are a long way off the holiness mark.

 

We must always picture in our mind that these are people on pilgrimage. They are being moved toward that goal of living  in harmony with Jesus Christ;  but they are willing to undergo change and conversion, as they are moved by the Holy Spirit.

 

We cannot be a Christian person on our own. Rugged individualism (doing it my way) is just the opposite of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. If we do not live and participate in the life of the Christiam community, we often will not do very much else. Christianity is a community of disciples, moving toward the goal of life in its fullness with and in Jesus Christ. We need each other to survive as disciples. We need each other to nourish and support the faith we have been gifted with in this time and place.

 

When we pray each Sunday that we believe in the “holy, catholic church” we are saying that we believe the Holy Spirit is living, moving and working among this group of less than perfect people. The Holy Spirit is working to change these sinners into saints (i.e., people filled with the love and compassion of God).  We are being shaped into becoming the very heart and face of the Son of God.

 

But first, always be  rooted in the Holy Spirit and what the power of the Spirit is doing among us: sinful and imperfect tough we are.

 

This is a wonderful journey and it all is the work of the life and spirit of God among us.