Sunday, August 24, 2008

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time


My Companions:
Not much new to report… thanks for your prayers for our sick and special intensions.


Keeping-in-touch:
Time flies… I enjoyed a very busy week of presentations, preparation and play on the weekend. I also received notice that I was selected as a participant for the 2008-2009 Ignatian Faculty Scholars Program in the College for Professional Studies at Regis University. This is an opportunity to grow with other companion-scholars in our understanding, appreciation and participation in the mission of Ignatius Loyola. I look forward to the study, the camaraderie, and the challenge to publish a mission-oriented scholarly work. We joined friends camping and I smacked the back of my head on a rock when I fell while fishing (I think I should wear my bike helmet next time I go fishing). And we joined in the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Nativity of Our Lord Parish on Sunday.


The Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/083108.shtml

Comments on the Readings:
Fr. Foley leaves us with a pithy question: “Which side are you on—that of love, or that of riches, honor and pride?” Check-out his reflections as you prepare for Sunday:http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/22OrdA083108/reflections_foley.html


My Reflections
Can’t you relate with Peter? I can. I do not wish to suffer nor have any of my loved ones feel the pain of rejection and persecution. What would you do if you were in Peter’s shoes? Would you say, “Oh that’s great, Jesus, we’ve grown to love you, we turn to you to show us the fulfillment of all God’s promises, so now we’ll just follow you as you go to Jerusalem and watch people kick the living daylights out of you. Oh yea, we believe you will rise from the dead.” I don’t think so! If you’re like me, you’re constantly praying: “Common God, can you use your power and just fix….(fill in the blank).” Do I really seek “God’s ways?” Although I don’t morbidly look for opportunities for pain and suffering, I do need to look closer each day for God’s ways in contrast to the ways of human selfishness and alienation from our true self, from our brothers and sisters, from our world and from our God.


In what ways does Jesus call us today to recognize the difficult times ahead, follow him anyway, and yet trust that the fullness of life will follow?

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Monday, August 18, 2008

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time


My Companions:
Since I posted so late last week, I have not learned of many new joys or issues of my companions. Greg did send a nice email telling me to “keep up the good work.” And Ted wrote this morning that his mother-in-law is doing better. Also, Dad wrote that his sister, Agnes Klaus was taken to the hospital yesterday with some internal bleeding. Thanks for your prayers.

Keeping-in-touch:
As I wrote in the last post, we received “heavenly rains” and we canceled the SCC camp-out; but we all met for breakfast and praised OUR LORD for the wonderful moisture. I have a big presentation on Wednesday (AMDG).
The Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/082408.shtml

Comments on the Readings:
Fr. Foley tells us to open our hearts to the LORD… have faith:http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/21OrdA082408/reflections_foley.html
My Reflections
Even before my graduate study, where I focused on Christology in the philosophical traditions of Process Philosophy and the Philosophy of Hope, I often made the statement, “Your answer to the question, ‘Who do you say I Am?’ probably says more about you than it says about Jesus.” And then I would add, “One person’s experience is a very limited sample.”
I’m challenged by the Scriptures, by the Mothers and Fathers of the Church and by faithful communities that seek to respond fully to Our Lord’s revelation. I do not wish to commit myself to “my projected image (onto Jesus)” of “my ideal messiah” any more than I wish to love “my projected image (onto Margaret)” of “the perfect woman”! I wish to find God in all things and love the True God.

How has Jesus Christ surprised you; how have your images been attuned to the revelatory melody found in Scripture and Tradition?


May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time


My Companions:
Please forgive my delay again this week. Although these scripture readings have been a part of me all week, my delay has done little to serve you in your preparation.

Melissa left a voice message on Monday to tell us that she gave birth to Neal Solomon (8 lbs. 1 oz. 21 in) everyone is doing well! Anna Margaret is doing well. But, as you can see from the comments, we have friends with cancer and friends who died this past week for whom to pray. Kim and Gary visited and we prayed over Gary for a cure of his cancer (take a moment to read my account of this prayer in the “comments”). I encourage you to pray together with one another; this will make our Sunday Liturgy even more fruitful! Thank you for celebrating each other and supporting each other.

Keeping-in-touch:
Marge and I had a “mixed” week (and a half): we struggled with some health issues but had a wonderful, relaxing day in the mountains with Connie and Alan. I played plenty (every day) of tennis and made some headway with the LMS (software). I connected with a classmate on Facebook who has begun to work on our 40th high school reunion (When did I get so old?). We had a wonderful, short, visit with Kim and Gary. And we sent Matthew off to visit his sister in the Granola State! We were looking forward to a camping trip with our SCC at Horsetooth Reservoir (but this was canceled on account of the wonderful rains we are receiving).


The Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/081708.shtml

Comments on the Readings:
Fr. Foley comments on Jesus use of “dogs” for a people (we need to know the whole story):
My Reflections
My reflection is short: I only wish we all had the faith of this Canaanite Woman to doggedly turn to Our Lord and seek the fullness of Life. Help me to open myself fully to Your Will, Lord and show us Your healing power (see our prayer for Gary in the comments).

How have you opened yourself in faith recently?


May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Monday, August 4, 2008

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time




My Companions:


We rejoice in the success of Anna Margaret’s heart operation. My sister, Judi, spent time in the hospital last week; I called and she’s doing better. I just learned today that my friends Gary & Kim will visit the middle of next week (and we will pray for a cure of his cancer). Thank you, all of my companions, for your prayers and for sharing your joys and sorrows.



Keeping-in-touch:
Our 100 degree heat made me cut down on tennis last week, but I made great strides in my work with Moodle (the Learning Management Software). The next couple weeks will fill-up with “dog and pony shows.” I enjoyed the celebration of St Ignatius Day at Regis and visited with a friend I had not seen for a while, Fr. Paul. We also enjoyed a wonderful dinner at our friends’, Sally and Tom.

The Readings:




Comments on the Readings:


Fr. Foley tells us to reflect on what Jesus must have thought and how He prayed:
http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/19OrdA081008/reflections_foley.html

My Reflections
If I saw Jesus walking toward me as I paddled my canoe, I think I would react like the disciples: When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
Then, I would probably “mess-up” like the impetuous Peter (I can really relate to Peter).

I wonder how you, my companions, have heard the Lord speak to you? In the thunder? Or in “a tiny whispering sound”? Leave a comment, if you will.




May the peace of Christ be with each of you.



John