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