Daily Reflection October 22st, 2008

Daily Reflection October 22st, 2008

by Andy Alexander, S.J.

University Ministry and the Collaborative Ministry Office

Ephesians 3:2-12

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Luke 12:39-48

“Be sure of this:if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming,he would not have let his house be broken into." Luke 12

Jesus is talking about being ready for his return. Of course, the first level of that message is about his return at the end of time. However, he comes at other times, too.

A dear Jesuit friend of many of us here at Creighton died this week. There is nothing like the death of a loved one to put us face to face with the reality of our Lord's coming. In Jim's case, the end came sooner than we expected it to come. The good news is that Jim was ready and wonderfully prepared to meet his Lord, even on such short notice. It wasn't because he didn't love life or deeply love the people in his life. Everyone who knew him knew how passionately engaged he was with life and all the issues that made life rich and fulfilling. In the end, with God's grace, Jim proved to be remarkably free. He knew where he came from and where he was going. He knew the purpose of his life -- in living it and in laying it down at the end.

Jesus is asking us to live our lives with freedom - with the freedom that comes from knowing who we are. That freely lived identity is formed and tested in our everyday lives. It is formed by the defining relationships in our lives and by the choices we make, which shape us into the persons we become. This faithful freedom to be who we are called to be is tested by all the attractions of the world, which pull us in other directions. Usually it is greed or lust - something just looks so attractive that we feel drawn to want it or to at least try it. Sometimes it is fear - anxiety, and worries about the "what ifs," steal our ability to be courageous and steadfast. In all of these defining moments of our lives, Jesus is there coming to meet us with the offer of grace, with the gift of freedom, with the loving encounter that calls us to be our most loving and self-sacrificing selves. He simply asks us to be ready to meet him at the time he comes to us today.

Lord, open our hearts today and every day to receive your gifts of freedom and to encounter you in the many people you place in our lives, in the many choices which can bring us closer to you. Free us to love more freely to say "yes" more completely, to think of the needs of others first and to know what is the right choice. Liberate us from the seduction of power, the deadly grip of anger or judgment, and the debilitating trap of fear. Let us come to life each day as you prepare us for eternal life with you. And, on that day you come to bring us home, grant us the grace of loving family and friends to support us as we surrender to your love completely in our final Amen.

Daily Reflection October 21st, 2008

Daily Reflection October 21st, 2008

by Janine ter Kuile

Financial Aid Office

Ephesians 2:12-22

Psalm 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14

Luke 12:35-38

“Jesus said to his disciples: Gird your loins and light your lamps”

‘Gird your loins’ is a biblical term and one I didn’t get. So I asked a priest… he said it had something to do with eating light…like during Passover when the Jews had to be ready to travel. Another friend said, ’tighten up your belt, be ready for serious action’. …. Another said it meant a warning to wear our full armor, because the back is exposed, we must always be moving forward.

Then I went to the expert. Google said it’s an ‘allusion to the long garments, worn by the eastern nations, which they girded or tucked up about their loins, when they journeyed or were employed in any labor.’ When servants used to carry lights at weddings, generally in the night, girding the loins required keeping their belts fastened ….Last but not least, I went to the dictionary; originating in the Bible, it says ‘to prepare oneself for action’. The Urban dictionary says, ‘Girding my loins’ also means to anger one greatly, or ‘a loin girder’ is a person who angers someone. Well… this might go on and on, but the basic meaning is simply put; ‘Be in readiness’. I think this has something to do with being faithful….

Why is commitment and faithfulness so difficult today? Modern society extols freedom over fidelity… we have difficulty being bound to an uncertain future. Heaven knows, it’s inconvenient and annoying in light of our own to-do list. About our humility or personal poverty…God gives some of us different gifts than He gives others. If you are personally and financially advantaged, how easy is it to feel more entitled to the ‘favors’ of this world.…how more important is it, then, to hoist up our britches and take stock of ourselves.… An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world hinders our openness to grace.

If I value the beauty of holiness, I won’t crave the luxuries of life, which isn’t always about ‘material things’. If I give in to frustration and anxiety, I don’t cast my care to God, wherein dwells my inner peace. How am I called to a life of poverty….

Daily Reflection October 15th, 2008

Daily Reflection October 15th, 2008 '

by Maureen McCann Waldron

The Collaborative Ministry Office

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus

Galatians 5:18-25

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Luke 11:42-46

"Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God." Luke 11

In my mind, I usually picture Jesus as loving and supportive, reaching out for the underdog and compassionate with those who don’t understand his message. But he challenges people strongly when their lives are based on a double standard – speaking one way but living another.

In today’s gospel, addressing his message to the Pharisees, the teachers – and to us – he tries to grab our attention: “Woe to you!” His message to the Pharisees is not about paying the prescribed tithes under the Law of Moses but about ignoring those things which Jesus considers more important, including the love of God and of other people.

He chastises Pharisees for accepting honors and recognition in their relatively easy life while their unbending adherence to the law made life so much more difficult for everyone else. When the scholars protest, feeling they might have been insulted by his words, he makes clear that they have, telling them, “You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

In our lives today, Jesus’ message is as powerful as ever. Often, our critical eye doesn't miss a thing done incorrectly by our enemies, our politicians, those who are not our friends and sometimes those we simply don't want to understand. We are quick with our criticism and sharp with our judgment. And too often, we are also quick to absolve ourselves of the sins we can see so clearly in others.

Today's gospel might inspire us to take a one-day moratorium from criticizing anyone. It's a small start that could make us more aware of how we really see things. We can begin by asking Jesus for his help. We can beg for forgiveness from our picking and nagging and the unconscious stream of clever commentary we might carry with us while dealing with spouses, families, someone in the grocery store or even while getting the day's news.

Dear Jesus, help me for this day to love people as you love them. Help me to bite my tongue and offer forgiveness with a generous heart. Let me try to understand others as you understand me in all of my flawed humanity. Thank you for your many gifts in my life. May I appreciate them and be more grateful for what I have been given.

It is when we are more aware of how deeply we are loved by God that we can be moved by the gratitude that will ease the judgmental burden we carry with us so often.

Daily Reflection October 8th, 2008

Daily Reflection October 8th, 2008

by Robert P. Heaney

John A. Creighton University Professor

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14

Psalm 117:1bc, 2

Luke 11:1-4

“Pray” and “prayer” in the New Testament almost always means petition – asking God for something. Today’s gospel says that Jesus was in a certain place “praying”. His disciples would have understood that He was asking God – His Father – for guidance. “Show me your will. What is it you want me to do?” Naturally enough, His disciples asked Him to tell them what they should ask God for as well (as John the Baptist had done for his followers). Jesus tells them to ask God to establish his reign on earth. It was the “how to do that” for which He, himself, had been seeking guidance.

“Hallowed be your name” and “Your kingdom come” are simply polite ways of asking God to run things His way. They are not just pious wishes that people would honor God’s name or bring about God’s rule. They are calls for action – for God to act, not us.

The question we must answer when confronted with this Gospel passage – when we pray the Lord’s Prayer – is “Do we mean it?” “Do we really want God to run things His way?” The Gospels are full of Jesus telling us what that would be like. “The Kingdom of God is like . . .” Like the prodigal father who welcomed home his lost son. Like the vineyard owner who paid the laborers who worked only one hour the same wage as those who worked all day. Like the person who gave a feast and invited “…the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind…” Like little children.

These things offend our sensibilities. This is not how the world works. If we were to do this, there would be terrible disruption. Society and business, as we know them, would come apart.

Right.

That’s why the final petition that Jesus gives is “. . . subject us not to the trial” (in some translations “temptation”). Don’t let us succumb to the temptation of saying (and acting as if) it won’t work. Perhaps the reason the Kingdom hasn’t come yet is that we haven’t wanted it to.

Daily Reflection October 3rd, 2008

Daily Reflection October 3rd, 2008

by Daniel Patrick O'Reilly

Registrar's Office

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5

Psalm 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab

Luke 10:13-16

On first read, today’s scripture readings really contrast with each other. In ways, they are unsettling and convicting and yet, they are also calming and reassuring. In Job, Job has apparently questioned God’s wisdom and actions. The Lord let’s Job know (quite sarcastically) that he is in charge and Job is not. Job apologizes. The psalmist proclaims the wisdom and power of the Lord. “I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” And in Luke, Jesus has sent out disciples through the land. Apparently several towns have rejected them and Jesus issues a stern warning to these towns. Jesus says to his disciples, “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me reject the one who sent me.”

A week from today I will be headed to Colorado for my niece’s wedding. My niece is a lovely, wonderful, young woman. Her bride-to-be is an impressive, young man. I’ve met his parents and they are good people. The gowns have been fitted, the tuxedoes rented, the flowers ordered and the feast is ready. My youngest son will be the ring bearer. Your typical, traditional wedding. The wedding will be in Estes Park with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. A setting that truly reveals God’s glory. Except for one thing. God is not invited. God’s name will not be spoken at this wedding. To say this is a point of consternation for me is to put it mildly. And, of course, I am not the only one with these feelings. I have been praying about this a great deal. What is the point of speaking wedding vows if the vows are not spoken before God? Should I participate in a wedding where God is not proclaimed? Should I even be attending this wedding?
Well, today’s scripture readings helped me in that decision. I am so like Job. I am always questioning God’s wisdom. Why did this happen, what was the purpose of that, why would you allow a wedding without you and why would you want me to go to that wedding? Thankfully we worship a knowing, loving and forgiving God. As the psalmist proclaims, “God knows everything about me and no matter where I am, God’s hand is there to guide me.” Jesus sent his disciples throughout the land. What if a disciple had said, I am not going to Bethsaida. They will never repent. They’ll just reject us there.

What if God’s plan was for me to be the one praying for this couple, asking his blessing on them? And I refused to go. This is someone I know and love. Are my principles more important than her life? I should jump at the chance to pray for her. And yet here I sit, questioning whether it is right to go or not. I am going to the wedding. I learned long ago that God and my wife are both much wiser than me. And sometimes, no matter what path my mind tells me to take, I simply have to trust and obey.

My prayer today is for those who, like my niece, do not know Christ. And for those of us who so long to introduce them to Christ. Lord, give us guidance and courage.

Daily Reflection October 2nd, 2008

Daily Reflection October 2nd, 2008

by Barbara Dilly

Theology Department

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

Job 19:21-27

Psalm 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14

Matthew 18:1-5, 10

As I read the readings for today, an old familiar song kept going through my head. It was a song that I have sung many times and found very comforting. I checked it out on the web to see if I remembered it correctly. I found that it was sung in Catholic churches in the 60/70/80’s. I learned it as a Lutheran in Luther League groups and we still do sing it sometimes. I also still hear it when I visit Catholic churches. Probably all Christians know it and most of our readers remember it. Here are the words:

Chorus:

Hear O Lord the sound of my call

Hear O Lord and have mercy

My soul is longing for the glory of you

O hear, O Lord and answer me.

Every night before I sleep, I pray my soul to take,

Or else I pray that loneliness is gone when I awake.

Chorus:

Why do I no longer feel like I’ve a place to stay?

O take me where someone will care so fear will go away.

Chorus:

In you O Lord I place my cares and all my troubles too,

O grant dear Lord that some day soon, I’ll live in peace with you.

Chorus:

I am not sure who wrote this song but I did learn that you can find it on a CD under the title of “Hear O Lord the sound of my voice” if you search on the internet.

As I reflect on the words of this song and the readings for today, I think about how the lyrics spoke to the loneliness and insecurities I felt as a young person when I first left home. I don’t think I was very unusual in seeking a place where I would be without fears and troubles. Most of us are consumed with longing for something when we are young. Then we develop some maturity as we get older and we gain courage; we become more stouthearted as we wait for the Lord to help us out of our human predicaments. I’ve been there too, toughing it out. But now I am at the age where I can understand what Jesus says about humbling ourselves like a child to seek the peace and reassurance that we need in this life. Faith isn’t about toughing it out. It is about openness in times of vulnerability.

As adults, it is often difficult for us to admit that the deep longings of our souls make us very vulnerable, like we were when we first left home and tried to make it on our own. No matter what we have accomplished, if we humble ourselves, we have to admit that we are still in that same state of need. That is where God meets us, when we cry out, “hear O Lord, the sound of my call, hear O Lord and have mercy. My soul is longing for the Glory of you, O hear O Lord and answer me.” I am so glad that song is still in my head.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus October 1st, 2008

Daily Reflection October 1st, 2008

by Eileen Burke-Sullivan

Theology Department

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Job 9:1-12, 14-16

Psalm 88:10bc-11, 12-13, 14-15

Luke 9:57-62

Perhaps the greatest source of human joy is the love that we have for another person. Certainly this is the most enduring of our human joys, because this is one gift that we will carry with us into eternity. But it is also true that deep love of another is the source of some of the greatest human suffering that humans endure. There are many forms of suffering and many underlying causes even within the one source, but it seems to me that today’s liturgy invites us to consider the purifying suffering that occurs when humans love much.

First of all, the feast; today, the Church invites us to celebrate with and pray with Therese of Lisieux. One of the most popular of all the Saints, this young French woman is held up as an exemplar of one who loved greatly through the ordinary and small tasks, “the little way.” Therese, who lost her mother as a very small child, followed a beloved older sister into the Carmelite religious life, one of the more ascetic lifestyles of the Church, when she was only fifteen. Even in the 19th Century the Church was not comfortable accepting such young teens into the severity of the cloistered religious life, but Therese pestered her bishop and finally asked the Pope for permission to join. In addition to her youth, Therese suffered from ill health including tuberculosis and depression, but offered the sufferings attendant upon such diseases for the salvation of those who had lost faith, or had never been formed in faith. She loved with the passion of God, but with the ability of a very frail human – which itself is, perhaps, one of the greatest sources of suffering. Among those who love others (and that includes most of the human race) who has not been frustrated that they can’t express that love adequately, or that the love is “not enough” to conquer other problems? Many of us have struggled with the sense that “if only” we could have loved more we could have protected a beloved from some difficulty or even saved them from some great harm. This is the suffering of a vessel inadequate to carry the fullness; the bucket that attempts to hold the ocean.

The first reading might help us to make some sense of this paradoxical suffering of the one who loves. The text is drawn from the book of Job. It is Job’s second speech given in response to one of his theologian friends who is attempting to convince him that he has done something wrong and the suffering he is enduring is God’s attempt to get him to recognize his sin and repent. Job is confident that he has not sinned, but he is unwilling to say that God is unjust in causing or allowing the innocent to suffer. Here then, is another suffering of finitude that can glimpse but not grasp the infinite. Just as Therese could glimpse but not grasp or express the fullness of divine love in her frail human body, so Job recognizes the pain of his finite capacity to perceive the infinite wisdom and creativity of God.

What both Job and Therese help us to appreciate is that there is not only a quantitative difference between divine and human abilities, there is a qualitative difference. It is not just that God loves infinitely more than humans do, it is that God’s love is infinitely different from human love. It is not just that God knows more (content) than humans do, it is that the character of God’s knowing and God’s power to understand reality is infinitely different from human’s. When God’s shares God’s powers with us, then, there will always be the suffering of not being able to bear the infinite weight of the gift in our finite humanity.

I think this is a terrifying mystery for most, if not all, humans. For some the answer is to run from God and hide in the consumption of things or in human activities that consume us but are themselves limited. The Gospel from today’s liturgy brings us a better way to grapple with this incredible mystery. It calls us to risk all for the sake of God’s reign, even if we do not, no cannot, fully understand what we are doing. If we dare to respond to the invitation to collaborate with God in the creative and redemptive work of the Kingdom, we must be prepared to place our love and loyalty for the mysterious way of God (which is to say, God’s self) ahead of human reason, human affection, human loyalty, and we must be prepared to fail – in human terms. This is a tremendous challenge in our world that wants to understand, and calculate the cost, before we commit, and to be seen to be successful. The truth is, we rarely understand even ourselves, so how could we hope to understand God? But we can trust that God understands us – and will remain faithful to us, even if our loyalty falters. So we pray with the psalmist in confidence:

“Daily I call upon you, O LORD; to you I stretch out my hands.”