Daily Reflections - March 31,2013

LIVING THE RESURRECTION It is not enough just to receive the many blessings that God offers us through Christ’s death and resurrection. Part of receiving the graces with gratitude is to fully live the Gospel. In this way, we all become ambassadors for Christ, as Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 5. Is there any greater news to tell someone than that his sins have been forgiven and that he is destined for eternal life? I think not! But then, here’s a question that comes to my mind: “Why do we seem to be so reluctant to share this incredibly Good News with others?” Do we assume that they already know it? Maybe in some cases, but I am equally certain that there are at least as many people who are lacking in their faith response, and yet we do nothing about it. We do not have to become the immediate means of salvation for everyone we know — that is God’s job. But what I am saying is that we need to be on the lookout for opportunities, whenever possible, to share how the grace of God has transformed our lives. Having received the grace of God freely, we have the responsibility to share it with others. This is both a duty and a privilege. As we reflect on the resurrection of Christ, let us pray for the grace to be more aware of opportunities to share the Good News as they arise. Let us not be hesitant in sharing the Gospel with others. Paul tells us that he is never ashamed of the Gospel because he knows and has experienced the truth of the Gospel’s power to save (Romans 1:16-17). Experience is a part of our faith; if we have not experienced the saving grace of God at work in our lives, then we should ask, nay beg, God to give them to us as soon as possible. It is our experiences that we can share with others. They become the content of our proclamation of the Gospel. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your experience of the saving work and grace of God in your life? Should you pray to God for a deepening of your experiences of Him? Lord Jesus, thank You for the saving work of Your grace in my life. Help me to receive it with joy and to be affirmed in God’s love and mercy for me. Help me to share this with others.

Daily Reflections - March 28,2013

_{BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS}

 

The goal of a Christian is to become more like Jesus every day. This is a very exacting task which we should not take lightly, as it will require much sacrifice and commitment — through both good and bad experiences. The challenge we hear in today’s Gospel has rung out from the time of Jesus: “Are you willing to lay down your life in the service of those around you?” We should not be too quick to answer yes to this question as the ramifications of a life of service are many and difficult.

Over the last three days, and again tomorrow, we have been and will continue to reflect on the four Songs of the Suffering Servant as found in Isaiah. We have seen that the role of a servant is challenging (first two songs) and the third song has introduced to us the element of suffering, which will be developed fully in the final song tomorrow as we reflect on the Passion of Christ. Central to the understanding of being a disciple of Jesus is our willingness to embrace the challenge of the mission and the suffering that comes with it.

Jesus reminds His disciples at the Last Supper, through washing their feet, that a minister of the Gospel should not seek to exalt himself but should always seek to serve in any given situation. Through service, we express our charity and love for others, and this is at the heart of the Gospel.

One of the things that the Church must look for in its ministers is precisely this attitude of service. If a person seeks the Sacrament of Orders in order to be respected or highly regarded by the people around him, then he should not be ordained until he has a real change of heart — until he embraces humility in his life.

The most effective ministers of anything worthwhile are those who are sufficiently humble, or those who seek the benefit of others above themselves. This is what is truly inspiring about Jesus’ life and ministry — it is wholly for us and not for Himself. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you need to grow in humility? How can you seek to serve others? What can you do to teach yourself humility and true charity?

 

Jesus, You lived a life of total charity and love. Help me become more like You. Help me overcome the selfishness that so often governs my life.

Daily Reflections - March 27,2013

SERVANT SONG 3: SUFFERING FOR GOD

 

The Third Servant Song focuses a little on the trials and difficulties of someone in the service of God. There is often a lot of misunderstanding that goes with this task, and we need to be ready for the suffering that results from this. Maybe the suffering in the time of Isaiah was largely physical, but today, it is more often emotional and psychological. Exclusion from the most desired sectors of society, or groups within society, can be a very effective threat today. Violence will more often lead to court cases.

Someone who desires to serve God needs to be secure in his identity in God as it may become the only support he will ever have. The promise of God is that He will never abandon us, but this does not mean that we will not suffer. The groups that say suffering is incompatible with the Christian way of life are quite wrong. God does not desire that we suffer, but this is very different from saying that He will cause all suffering to disappear from the life of a disciple. There will always be suffering as long as sin exists. It is in heaven that suffering is banished forever.

The Servant of God needs to pray for the grace of faith to sustain him. It is only with grace that he can bear and endure the suffering that he will go through. Without faith, the servant will simply conform to the ways of the world and lose any chance of influencing society with the Good News. In Romans 12, Paul calls us to allow our lives to be transformed so that we will become effective witnesses to all that is good, acceptable and perfect.

Is this what you want for your life? I hope so, because this is what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your attitude to suffering? Do you see how it can draw you closer to God or as something to be avoided at all costs?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to stand firm when people murmur and speak against me whenever I proclaim the Word of God. Help me to remain strong in my faith.

 

Daily Reflections - March 26,2013

SERVANT SONG 2: A MOUTHPIECE

 

The Second Servant Song tells us that God has chosen us to speak on His behalf — to become a mouthpiece for His message of salvation. Prefiguring the text that will be written in the Letter to the Hebrews some six centuries later, Isaiah uses the image of a sharp sword to describe the power and clarity by which we will be gifted to speak in the name of the Lord. It is essential that we also understand that it is the Spirit of God who will guide us in what we say.

Another aspect of the nature of the Servant of God is seen in how God watches over him starting from the time he is in the womb. This is to affirm that it is God’s will that is being fulfilled in his service of the Good News.

We have no reason to doubt that we have been ill-prepared for such a task in the mind of the Lord because He has been working toward this end from the time we were conceived. This is a very comforting statement especially if we are not naturally inclined to speak in public.

Finally, we should reflect on the power of the correctly spoken word as it becomes a light to a people caught up in the darkness of sin and its effects. All servants of God are to become a light to the nations of the world. There is no doubt that in this, the day of worldwide communication, the effect of the spoken Word of God, empowered as it is by the Holy Spirit, can be an immensely powerful means by which the Gospel goes out to the world.

Isaiah affirms all these things and many more as intrinsic to the nature of a Servant of God. All of us should be mindful of them so that we are open when called into such a ministry, should the Lord choose to call us. It is better to be prepared for such a reality so that it does not overcome us when our turn comes. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you really want to be a Servant of God? Why? Why not? Are you willing to pay the price in giving your life to the service of the Gospel?

 

Father in Heaven, You formed me in my mother’s womb. Help me realize that You have a perfect plan for my life so that I will be most willing to fulfill it when I discover it.

Daily Reflections - March 25,2013

THE SERVANT SONGS OF ISAIAH

 

There are four Servant Songs in the writings of the Prophet Isaiah that the Church applies to Christ. We will read them in the Liturgy today, and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Each of them describes the suffering of a great servant of Israel and his humility in suffering. It is good to reflect on them this coming Holy Week as it can help us understand more deeply the suffering of Christ.

Today, the focus is on the gift of the Spirit given to the Suffering Servant. It is the Holy Spirit who provides grace and strength to the disciples of Jesus. Any servant of God needs a great devotion and trust in the Holy Spirit if he is going to achieve anything for the Kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit whom Christ has given us, who empowers us in the work of the Gospel. The text we read tells us also that the Spirit leads the Servant of God to be faithful to His covenant. The whole idea of covenant is essential to understanding the nature of the relationship between God and His people. It is a relationship of choice — and you can choose to ignore God if you so desire. However, if you prefer the latter choice, then the Old Testament is essential reading for you, particularly the parts that deal with the suffering of the People of God in exile, which results to banishment from their homeland due to their lack of trust in God.

We are also told that the Servant of God is one whom God uses to open the eyes of those who have become blind to God so that they might return to Him in repentance. This is key in today’s age of godlessness due to materialism and hedonism. The sense of God is being eclipsed by the more immediate pleasures and enjoyments of life, to the point that God is not just marginalized but largely forgotten in the midst of the pursuits of pleasure. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is you immediate reaction to the fact that you are called to be a servant of God? Does this inspire or repulse you?

 

Jesus, help me realize more deeply Your love for me and Your call in my life. Help me to surrender more fully to the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Reflections - March 24,2013

THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST

 

This text from Philippians for our Second Reading today is one of my favorites. Why? In it we discover a very eloquent description of Christ’s humility, which Paul clearly considers as central to the work of salvation. Paul comes from a Pharisaic background and is well aware of the many accusations of hypocrisy that have been leveled against the group over the years, and even by Christ in His ministry. The issue at stake here is humility.

Christ clearly differentiates Himself from the Pharisees through His humility, an aspect of His character that is always to the fore. Paul is probably quoting from an early Christian hymn in this text, thus indicating how the Early Church sees the humility of Christ as central to His character and life. Even though Jesus is aware that He is God, He does not demand the attention and respect that is due Him. He makes the choice to use service as the defining thrust of His ministry. It is through the lens of service that we can fully acquaint ourselves with the heart of Christ’s message, the Good News of salvation.

The other main description of service is the image of “being emptied.” This can be interpreted in many ways, including that of giving all that He possibly could to achieve His desired goal. This is true of Jesus — He eventually died on the cross in order to bring forgiveness to our sins. Another way of looking at “being emptied” is to realize that if you are empty, you ultimately need to be refilled. Here, we see that aspect of humility, wherein Jesus entrusts His entire life and ministry into the hands of His Father. This level of total trust is something that Christians need to imitate to successfully follow Jesus in their lives.

As we listen to the Passion of Jesus today at Mass, let us keep in mind Christ’s example of humility through His suffering, and so seek to understand how we can better imitate His humility in our lives. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How can you grow in humility in order to more fully embrace the Good News of Christ?

 

Holy Spirit, help me understand fully the humility of Christ so that I may receive and live this grace in my life.

Daily Reflections - March 22,2013

TRUSTING IN THE LORD ALONE

 

It seems part of our human condition to automatically seek revenge against those who have wronged us. This should not be the case, but sin has somehow perverted the way we relate with one another such that we assume the worst of each other and also seek to get back at those who harm us. The biblical witness is that we should leave any sense of revenge, often spoken of in terms of vengeance, to the Lord. That is, the authors of the various Scriptural texts were well aware of the tendency of human nature to take matters of vengeance into their own hands.

Jeremiah is a prophet who suffered a lot at the hands of the authorities. In this he was prescient, indicating this as one reason for his not wanting to take up the calling of a prophet. Yet, he obeyed God’s call, and suffering was never far from him. Jeremiah clearly would like to take revenge upon some, if not all, of his adversaries but he specifically states here that he is going to leave that matter in the Lord’s hands. He also refuses to give in to the power of his adversaries, believing firmly that the Lord will eventually cause the poor and powerless to triumph.

Jeremiah’s example is a very important one to reflect on, given how easy it is to take revenge on someone for what they have done to us. The thing with revenge is that it never solves any problems. It just exacerbates them by adding wrong to wrong and violence to violence. It is easy to see how this sort of response will result in a never-ending cycle of wrongs.

It is the example of Jesus’ life that shows us the way out of the problem. The only way to cut the cycle of violence is to forgive and move on. Resentment, revenge, ill will and so on will never come to an end. It is only forgiveness that ends it all. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you tend to either seek revenge or minister forgiveness to those who sin against you? How can you grow in your capacity for the latter?

 

Holy Spirit, teach me the noble path of forgiveness and help me to be an ambassador for it every day of my life.

Daily Reflections - March 21,2013

KEEPING THE WORD OF JESUS

 

What does it mean to “keep the Word of Jesus?” There are many interpretations of the “Word of Jesus,” but I want to focus on only one in

this reflection, which is the connection of this phrase with the will of God. One of the clear themes in Jesus’ life and ministry is His obedience to His Father’s will. Scripturally speaking, when we study what God seems to mean by His “Word,” we discover that it is closely associated with His will.

For example, in Genesis, when God speaks — utters the words or commands that bring the world into being — we see the power that God’s Word has. It can create something out of nothing. This is also true of God’s will. The example from Genesis also clearly links any understanding of the Word of God to His will.

The Church has always closely associated its understanding of the Word of God with the Scriptures. The Scriptures contain all the truths that are necessary for our salvation. They manifest God’s salvific will and make it available to us for reflection and prayer. It is a short step from here to understanding that keeping God’s Word is a necessary aspect of a disciple’s life — that is, someone who is in the process of being saved.

Therefore, keeping the Word of Jesus is central to the life of a disciple as it is in His Word that God manifests His will, makes available to us His power and truth, and reveals to us His plan of salvation at the very least. Thus, when Jesus speaks of “keeping His Word,” we can associate many important ideas with the concept.

It is also important to note that “keeping God’s Word” is not simply a matter of external obedience to a set of rules or laws but is primarily to be  understood from the standpoint of our heart’s response to God’s offer of salvation. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you see your life as a disciple of Jesus as merely following a whole set of rules, or do you see it as an opportunity to enter into a relationship with Jesus?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to discern the Word of God for my life with truth and accuracy. Never allow me to dismiss God’s Word as something with little or no relevance to my life.

 

Daily Reflections - March 20,2013

AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

 

I am sure that we all have heard of this old saying: “Honesty is the best policy.” It is true. Apart from the fact that the Gospel today affirms that true freedom comes from following the truth, it is evident that this will be the case from the point of view of logic. One of the dangers of telling lies is that one lie leads to another, and then another, as one seeks to cover up the fact that one did not tell the truth in the beginning. The web of lies produced can become so complex that it is difficult to trace its evolution to the point that even the actual truth can get obscured.

Jesus wants us to embrace the principle that the truth frees us in relation to our sinfulness. The more we own and accept our sinfulness, the easier it will be to let go of it. And the more we let go of our sins, the more free we become. Freedom from sin is not the only benefit we gain from repentance; we are also freed to embrace more fully the graces that God gives us. In this respect, we are able to embrace the freedom that God has given us to become the people we are meant to be. True freedom is not just freedom from something, but the freedom to become who God wants us to be. It is in this last aspect that we best use the gift of freedom from God.

Many young people seem to think, and so act accordingly, that freedom is the license to do whatever they want. It is certainly true that anyone can do what they want, but what true human freedom asks of us is not what we can do, but what we ought to do in any given situation.

Once again, we see that the true exercise of freedom is found in our capacity to become who we are meant to be in God’s eyes, and not the license to do whatever we want to do. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you tend to abuse the gift of freedom God has given you, or do you use it well? Can you improve the way you use the gift of freedom in your life?

 

Holy Spirit, help me understand what it means to truly flourish as a human person so that I can exercise my freedom to attain this goal.

Daily Reflections - March 19,2013

THE PROMISES OF GOD

 

Joseph, the husband of Mary, is often forgotten when we reflect on the life of Jesus, yet he played a major role in rearing the Child Jesus. We do not know what happened to him — whether he died at a young age or what. It certainly seems that he had passed away by the time Jesus began His ministry as he is not present in the Gospels except in the Infancy Narratives.

In the First Reading from 2 Samuel, we hear it affirmed that it will beGod who builds a house for David, not the other way around. God wants to help David realize that, mighty he may be, Israel is still dependent on God for its success. One of the great dangers of success in the eyes of the world is that a person can begin to think that he does not need God anymore. God does not want David walking down this trap.

It is also crucial that we do not forget our reliance on God. Joseph is a great example of this as he takes on a situation that would have been virtually impossible for him to explain to his family — the pregnant Mary, and how he cares for her and Jesus as if Jesus was his own child. Joseph’s selflessness is truly an inspiration. Rejected when asking for a place to stay in his hometown (I often wonder why he could not stay with his relatives), he does not despair and does what he can with a stable. Later, he has to flee to Egypt for a number of years to protect Jesus from the murderous hands of Herod. Finally, he teaches Jesus his carpentry trade. Joseph does all the things one would expect of a father.

It is important that we realize that we will all face imperfect situations in life and the best we can do will be to do precisely that — the best we can do. Let us seek the intercession of Joseph when we find ourselves in these situations. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How often do you complain about the difficulties you face in life?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to be inspired by the example of Joseph’s obedience and surrender to God. Help me embrace my life as it is and seek to make it better little by little.

 

Daily Reflections - March 18,2013

RESURRECTION

 

The story of Lazarus is one that is full of many symbols that relate to the life and ministry of Jesus. We will attend to only one, namely the resurrection motif. Lazarus has died and been placed in the tomb for a number of days. By this time the body would be very smelly. There is no doubt that he is dead and not just sleeping or in a coma or some other sort of medical state.

Jesus comes to visit the family who is distraught over the loss of their brother. Yet, when questioned, Martha expresses a clear belief in life after death with God. After a short dialogue, Jesus raises Lazarus from death and restores him to his family and friends. What do we learn from this miracle of Jesus? The belief in the resurrection is not a universally-held belief among all Jews. For example, the Sadducees did not believe in it. In the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus affirms that there is more to life than our journey here on earth.

The resurrection of Lazarus is a type of the resurrection of Jesus and, thus, foreshadows the resurrection that will definitively open for us the gates to eternal life. Yes, Lazarus is not raised to the life of heaven in this miracle but then, if he was, there is no way that we could know it was true anyway! He is raised from the dead in order to demonstrate the absolute power that Jesus exercises in His ministry and person. It further affirms that He has power over life and death, something ascribed only to God and, thus, we ought to be listening carefully to all that He says and does in order to identify what is relevant to our own lives.

As we reflect upon the resurrection of Lazarus, let us ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds as to its application in our lives and, thus, how we should be responding to this miracle as we follow the path Jesus has mapped out for us. Let us never doubt that wherever Jesus leads us, He will give us the grace to accomplish all that He asks of us. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: In what areas of your faith journey do you have doubt at the moment? Invite God into them so that He can transform them by His power and love.

 

Jesus, You raised Lazarus from the dead; You have raised me from my sins. Help me live in the freedom You have won for my life.

 

Daily Reflections - March 15,2013

CONFLICT WITH THE AUTHORITIES

 

One of the aspects of Jesus’ ministry, around which John structures his Gospel leading up to the Passion, is Jesus’ conflict with the authorities of His day. It is a telling reality as He finds it more and more difficult to move around freely, knowing that the authorities are looking to arrest Him.

While we may not face the possibility of arrest if we disagree with our religious leaders, it is still a difficult thing to stand up for truth when the majority around us are content with the status quo. However, we should not allow injustices to stand unanswered and unopposed. We cannot allow the question of popularity or ease of life to silence our arguments against injustice. We all have a responsibility to speak out against injustice and to do our best to ensure that justice and truth prevail.

The Church has taken very public stands on issues such as gay marriage (ultimately an oxymoron as far as the traditional definition of marriage stands), abortion, in vitro fertilization, and many other moral issues of our day. Do we understand why the Church teaches as it does? If not, then it is our personal responsibility to seek the correct understanding of the issues. This is part of our responsibility to form our consciences well, especially in the light of the teachings of the Church.

I am not saying that we all have to march on the streets against abortion, but we do have to make a coherent argument as to why abortion is wrong. When it comes to moral issues, we live in a particularly difficult and complex era where many new practices that have moral implications arise. Before we get involved in them as doctors, nurses or patients, we should first seek to understand their moral implications. This can and probably will take a considerable amount of time in order to arrive at our best understanding of the matter. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you have questions of morality in some practices that you are involved with? If so, how well do you seek to form your conscience judgment responsibly?

 

Holy Spirit, guide my heart and mind as I seek to make moral decisions. Help me learn the

 

Daily Reflections - March 14,2013

BEARING TESTIMONY TO OURSELVES

 

It sounds as though it is impossible to bear testimony to one’s self. However, it is possible. Whether or not the most powerful form of testimony is debatable, it is possible. Let us consider the example of Jesus. He tells us that the testimony He has is far greater than that of John. You remember, of course, that we are speaking here of John the Baptist giving testimony to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah.

When we consider the claims Jesus makes in the Gospel, it is obvious that the witness of His life is going to be an important aspect of His testimony. Namely, if He cannot back up what He is saying with His actions, then His Word, the Gospel, will be unconvincing.

The same is true for us when we share the Gospel with others. The Gospel is a way of life and people need to see that in our lives if we want to be convincing evangelists. There is little point in trying to convince a person to live according to a certain set of values if one is not willing to be a living example of those values.

The heart of the Gospel message is precisely a call to transform the way we live our lives, such that they speak to others of the Kingdom of God and its values. If the way we live is no different from that of others in the world, then it is difficult to see what we are really doing, let alone whether or not we have a convincing argument.

Living within a Christian community helps us with our lifestyle as there are practical ways in which we can support one another. On our own, it is very difficult to be a convincing living witness of the Gospel values in the face of a hostile world, but along with others, this task becomes possible. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How well do you live the Gospel in your daily life? Are there areas where you can improve?

 

Holy Spirit, as I seek to live the Gospel values, help me draw strength from those around me who do the same.

Daily Reflections - March 12, 2013

THE PERSECUTION OF JESUS

 

We hear today that the supposed reason why many of the Jewish leaders supported the persecution of Jesus was that He broke the Sabbath law by healing people on the Sabbath. For me, this seems a very narrow-minded interpretation of the law on rest. Perhaps it indicates something deeper about the persecution of Jesus — could it be that the leaders were grasping at straws, so to speak, in coming up with a justifiable reason to reject Jesus and the Gospel He proclaimed?

There must be a modicum of truth in this analysis. To persecute someone for doing miraculous healings on the Sabbath is a ridiculous idea. Any parent will not think twice about saving their child from a treacherous situation. They will not even consider what day of the week it is before they act. Similarly, if I knew I could heal a person from lameness, deafness, blindness or other illness (as Jesus certainly knew He could), I have no doubt that I would do so, regardless of what day of the week it is.

The Jewish leaders were struggling to find a reason to reject Jesus and all that He stood for, and this was the only fault they could find. It is a warning to us all that, no matter how we may feel about a situation, when we are grasping at straws to find a reason for us to do something, then the warning bells should be ringing, especially if it is a serious situation. Persecuting a person all the way to his death certainly qualifies as a serious situation.

As we follow Christ as His disciples, as we seek to be active members in our faith communities, let us pray that common sense will prevail in our discernment of situations and issues, such that we do not stretch credulity to justify our actions. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What grounds do you use to discern the rightness and wrongness of your actions?

 

Lord Jesus, help me keep the process of discernment as simple as possible in my life.

 

Daily Reflections - March 10,2013

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

 

It is a little difficult to continue to write on this parable. It is so well-known and I have been writing these reflections for Shepherd’s Voice for 16 years now.

It is important that we do not reduce the story to a single message. There are many aspects to this story, depending on which person we wish to focus on and follow. Take the elder son, for example. We do not usually give his character much attention, but there is an important lesson to learn from him. He is both unwilling to accept his younger brother back and he also refuses to respond to the pleas of his father to change his attitude. The older brother has been wronged by the younger one, but is that a reason not to forgive? There will always be times when we wrong others, and others do us wrong, but it does not matter what is done. Forgiveness is always the only answer to the problem. There may be a need for some sort of restitution as well, but the primary work of healing is the choice to forgive.

We should never lose respect for our parents even when we disagree, rightly or wrongly, with the decisions they make. Whether or not we follow the desires of our parents is up to us, but there are some things that they are free to have an opinion on. But when we are adults, it is up to us to make the decision, and for them to respect our decisions. Of course, this is assuming that the decisions are not immoral, either theirs or ours.

I am sure that we can all place ourselves in the situation of the elder son. I wonder what our responses through life would be when confronted with these challenges? It is easy to be judgmental when the example is written on a page; it is much more difficult to live out the principles we know are a part of our Christian calling and responsibility. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How many times have you failed to forgive those who have sinned against you? Can you still do anything to right these wrongs?

 

Holy Spirit, help me learn how to forgive others in the way that God has forgiven all my sins.

Daily Reflections - March 8,2013

SEEKING OUR TREASURES

 

We all become vulnerable to the people and things we love. Sometimes we even do crazy things in order to pursue them. It is here that we need to be careful. It can be quite easy to make decisions that we will later regret if we do not manage our desires well. St. Paul tells us that our greatest treasure is our knowledge and experience of the Gospel. Our greatest treasure is our relationship with Christ and we need to make decisions that reflect this truth. Sometimes, it can take quite a bit of reflection and thought to order our desires well. The many pressures of the world and all the other influences we experience from friends and society can make it quite easy for us to succumb to our desires if we do not keep them in check. This is where prayer comes in!

Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with Jesus. Ceasing to pray will do to our relationship with Jesus what a silent heart does to a body — it kills it! Our relationship with Christ is a living reality that requires regular time and effort, just like any other relationship we have. A good dog owner will find time to walk or exercise his dog every day; a good disciple of Jesus will find time to pray and listen to the Word of God daily. It is a very simple formula but one that people seem to find difficult to keep.

I am reminded of all the treasure hunters in the books of my childhood. There was one thing they all had in common — they never gave up. They were persistent in trying to attain their goal — finding the treasure. This is the way we have to be in our relationship with Jesus — never giving up, always persevering even during difficult times.

A day away from prayer is one step away from God. Two days away from prayer and very quickly our relationship with God gets crowded out of our lives. Let us never allow this to happen to us. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

 

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How easily do you let go of praying every day? Do you need to recommit yourself to daily prayer, even if it is only a short prayer time?

 

Holy Spirit, help me realize the importance of prayer for my life so that I will give it the necessary priority among all the things I have to do every day.

Daily Reflections - March 7,2013

DO WE BELIEVE IN DEMONS TODAY?

 

Yes, we do! However, we may not believe in them in the way they are presented in today’s Gospel. I believe in the devil and his various minions. Exactly how the devil manifests his evil and corrupt values and influences in today’s world, or at any time in human history, will always be subject to much debate and depend on one’s personal preferences and beliefs.

There is no doubt that there is more to sin than mere human choice. There is a level of manipulation of human choices going on behind the scenes, governed by the devil and his minions, that seeks to create an environment where evil, and consequently sin, will flourish. Here is an old saying that is very true — all that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.

The miracle stories of Jesus expelling demons from the possessed are all very exciting, but perhaps the more important issue to reflect on would be: “What are we doing in the fight to do good?” Blaming demons for the evil in the world and not taking personal responsibility for our sinfulness and suffering is playing into the hands of the devil, as it distracts us from the very thing we have the most influence over, which is our own part in it. Herein lies the best way to rid the world of evil — each and every person should choose to do what he or she can to pursue good.

Do I believe in the devil? Yes, I do! Do I give the devil a lot of attention? No, I do not! Why? The best way to sideline the devil is to ignore him. He cannot influence our decisions unless we listen to his insinuations. Ignore the devil and he will flee far from you, looking for someone more willing to listen to his evil suggestions. It may seem like simple and naïve advice but it is not as naïve as it first sounds. Sometimes, the best wisdom is found in the simple answers to the most vexing questions. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you ever allow yourself to be tempted into listening to the suggestions of the devil? How good are you at ignoring the devil’s advances?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to discern between good and evil in my life so that I would know when to listen to the suggestions around me and when to ignore them.

Daily Reflections - March 6,2013

LAW IS IMPORTANT

 

In Christian circles, many people talk about living according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The implication, often unspoken and unwritten, is that the Law is not important and can be ignored if one is listening to where the Holy Spirit is leading us. On the surface, the argument seems at least reasonable, but on closer evaluation it becomes clear that it is dubious at best.

Consider the situation in society if everyone is able to choose which laws they want to follow and those they want to ignore. It would result in unimaginable chaos. Laws work precisely because they oblige all people to follow them. Any other permutation of following the law or ignoring it will ultimately fail. Yes, there are good laws that should be there and bad ones that should be eliminated.

Jesus knows all of these when He makes the statement in today’s Gospel. When He affirms that He is not going to change anything in the Law, He affirms that the Law, namely the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses, is not in need of reform. Jesus affirms that the Gospel He proclaims through His life and ministry does not negate or remove any obligation for us to follow the Ten Commandments. A religion, like any other society, also requires rules and regulations in order to give it a structure so it can endure through both the good and difficult moments of its history.

Good laws affirm values and principles essential to the protection of humanity and its social structures. Any attempt to rid human society of its laws will result in anarchy and the disintegration of that society. As we reflect on Jesus’ words today, let us be thankful for the gift of the Law, the guidance it provides and the vision of humanity it places before us. It is indeed something of a marvel — 3,400 years old and still going strong! Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your attitude toward the Law? Do you recognize it as important in guiding your own values’ formation? Do you love the Law?

 

Holy Spirit, help me open my heart to the guidance of the Law so that I will better understand its beauty and relevance to my life.

Daily Reflections - March 5,2013

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

 

Among all the beings that God created, forgiveness is unique to human beings. Forgiveness is about making a choice to let go of the hurt that someone has done to us, and trying to restore the relationship that has been damaged. Forgiveness works most effectively when it is a sacramental reality, that is, when the parties involved are physically present to one another. Yes, it is possible to apologize over the phone but I do not recommend it unless it is the only means possible to establish contact between the disputing parties.

Forgiveness is about the ministry of love — a healing love that will help mend the broken aspects of a relationship. Forgiveness is a decision that an individual makes to heal a particular relationship. The decision may or may not be motivated or empowered by feelings. A person may simply choose to forgive because he or she knows that it is the right thing to do in the situation.

Forgiveness is rarely easy or simple. It is usually complicated and messy, particularly if issues have been left to fester and grow bigger over time. Most people need some time to cool down before the decision to forgive can be properly addressed, but this should never be an excuse to keep delaying a decision, as the longer it takes to forgive, the more difficult it can become.

Jesus tells Peter that forgiveness knows no bounds. This is true, but it does not mean that we do not take precautions to protect ourselves from a persistent sinner. Another thing to recognize is that when trust in a relationship has been broken, it takes a long time to heal and rarely heals to perfection. There usually remains a lasting strain in the relationship that has been damaged. Yes, it can be healed to a workable level, but that innate sense of trust that is usually present in all serious new relationships is gone forever. It is as though the innocence of the relationship has been taken away. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your experience of relationships damaged by your own sin or the sins of others? How can you be more loving and self-giving in your relationships?

 

Jesus, help me learn to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Show me how to do this better than I do now.

 

Daily Reflections - March 3,2013

SPEAKING THE TRUTH

 

Jesus never shied away from speaking the truth. He was not bothered by what people thought about what He said. He simply spoke the truth and asked all the uncomfortable questions that most of us are too scared to confront in our own lives, let alone challenge others to answer them. This raises the question of the role of truth in our lives.

Are there ever times when we do not have the responsibility to tell the truth? Probably, but they are very few and most people probably will not have to face such a dilemma. The issue here is whether or not the person asking the question has the right to know the truth. For example, if someone asks you about the whereabouts of someone who, once found, will be executed without the benefit of a trial, and you know that the person is innocent, then you have no responsibility to inform the pursuer of his location. As you can see from the example, it is not a common experience in our lives.

Other than the above, we all have a responsibility and duty to live by the truth, and to honor it, in all that we do or say. Obviously, we can breach this responsibility in both minor and serious ways. However, we cannot take any breach too lightly. Developing a pattern of telling white lies, for whatever reason, brings us a little closer to telling more serious lies in the future.

In John 8:32, we read that the truth will set us free. Let us reflect on this Scripture passage and ask the Holy Spirit to imprint it on our hearts and minds so that we will understand the power of proclaiming and speaking the truth. Let us never take the truth for granted. Let us seek to uphold it at all times. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How committed are you to living and proclaiming the truth in every opportunity?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to live the truth of the Gospel in every aspect of my life and help me to never lose sight of my responsibility in this regard.