Homily: Follow Me: Part 3

Follow Me: Part 3

June 30, 2013 l 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Click here to see the entire series

Notes for Part 3

Point #1: Jesus always takes the initiative

No. 1: "Follow me" ... Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 10:38, 16:24, 19:21, 19:28; Mark 1:17, 2:14, 8:34, 10:21; Luke 5:27, 9:23, 9:59, 14:27, 18:22; John 1:43, 8:12, 10:27, 12:26, 13:36, 21:19, 21:22

No. 2: "God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer. In prayer, the faithful God's initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response."

— Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2567

No. 3: "Man is in search of God. In the act of creation, God calls every being from nothingness into existence. 'Crowned with glory and honor,' man is, after the angels, capable of acknowledging 'how majestic is the name of the Lord in all the earth.' Even after losing through his sin his likeness to God, man remains an image of his Creator, and retains the desire for the one who calls him into existence. All religions bear witness to men's essential search for God."

— Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2566

Point #2: The "culture" of Jesus is very different than the culture we live in

No. 4: "As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.'"

— Luke 9:57

"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." 

— Luke 9:58

No. 5: "And to another he said, 'Follow me.'"

— Luke 9:59

"But he replied, '[Lord,] let me go first and bury my father.'"

— Luke 9:59

No. 6: "But he answered him, 'Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'"

— Luke 9:60

No. 7: "Love of neighbor is thus shown to be possible in the way proclaimed by the Bible, by Jesus. It consists in the very fact that, in God and with God, I love even the person whom I do not like or even know. This can only take place on the basis of an intimate encounter with God, an encounter which has become a communion of will, even affecting my feelings. Then I learn to look on this other person not simply with my eyes and my feelings, but from the perspective of Jesus Christ. … Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave."

— Deus Caritas Est, no. 18

Point #3: We can't look back

"And another said, 'I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.'"

— Luke 9:61

"[To him] Jesus said, 'No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.'"

— Luke 9:62

No. 8: "Second Rule. In persons who are going on intensely purifying their sins and rising from good to better in the service of God our Lord, the method is contrary to that in the first rule. For then it is proper to the evil spirit tobite, sadden, and place obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, so that the person may not go forward. And it is proper to the good spirit to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations and quiet, easing and taking away all obstacles, so that the person may go forward in doing good."

— Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, no. 315

No. 9: "I stood on the brink of resolution … I tried again and came a little nearer to my goal, and then a little nearer still, so that I could almost reach out and grasp it. But I did not reach it… .

"I was held back by mere trifles, the most paltry inanities, all my old attachments. They plucked at my garment of flesh and whispered, 'Are you going to dismiss us? From this moment we shall never be with you again, forever and ever. From this moment you will never be allowed to do this thing or that, for evermore … These voices … no longer barred my way, blatantly contradictory, but their mutterings seemed to reach me from behind, as though they were stealthily plucking at my back, trying to make me turn my head when I wanted to go forward. Yet in my state of indecision, they kept me from tearing myself away, from shaking myself free of them and leaping across the barrier to the other side, where you were calling me."

— Saint Augustine, Confessions

No. 10: "But by now… I had turned my eyes elsewhere, and while I stood trembling at the barrier, on the other side I could see the chaste beauty of Continence in all her serene, unsullied joy, as she modestly beckoned me to cross over and to hesitate no more.  She stretched out loving hands to welcome and embrace me, holding up a host of good examples to my sight. ... She smiled at me to give me courage, as though she were saying, 'Can you not do what these men and women do? Do you think they find the strength to do it in themselves and not in the Lord their God? … Why do you try to stand in your own strength and fail? Cast yourself upon God and have no fear. He will not shrink away and let you fall. Cast yourself upon him without fear, for he will welcome you and cure you of your ills.'"

— Saint Augustine, Confessions

Fr. Robert Barron: 13th Sunday of OT

Fr. Robert Barron: 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

> Click here to listen to Fr. Barron's reflections for Mass this Sunday.

Process

Readings at Mass l Friday of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

> Genesis 17:1,9-10,15-22

> Psalm 128:1-2,3,4-5
> Matthew 8:1-4

> All the readings together

In the first reading at today's Mass we conclude the story of Abraham and Sarah's promise of new life.

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said: 'As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai; her name shall be Sarah. I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations, and rulers of peoples shall issue from him.'"

Whew ... finally ... this one's been a long time coming. After years of waiting, Abram (who o' by the way gets a new name today as God renames him Abraham meaning "Father of Nations"), finally hears the coveted words from the Lord himself: he will have his own son from Sarah's womb. His lineage will continue. His blessing will unfold. God has come through on His promise.

However, the story of Abraham and Sarah isn't just about their son (Isaac). It's not simply about the promise of blessing or descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky. The story is not about the destination ... it's much more about how they got there. The story of Abraham is about the process.

From the very first conversation with the Lord, Abraham has had to trust. He's been stretched. He's been tested. He's failed and been forgiven. He's surrendered and taken back control. He's come to know the Lord, and therein has come to know himself. In the process of receiving the covenant Abraham not only received a son from Sarah's womb, he grew in relationship with the Lord along the way. That's important, because the process of growth will continue. Abraham will have mysterious visitors who reveal the very God Himself (chapter 18). He will stand before the Almighty and beg on behalf of Sodom (chapter 18), only to see his brother's land destroyed under the power of God (chapter 19). He will be tested to sacrifice his beloved Isaac (chapter 22). Through it all God is giving birth to a chosen people.

Today's story is good news, very good news. Our spiritual lives are much more about the process as they are anything else. Far too often I want the answer. I pray and I ask for "this" or "that". I want the blessing, I want the answer. While I'm looking for the answer God is moving in the process. God is focused on relationship. God is focused on me who eventually receives the gift. While I'm focused on what I want, God is focused on the process so that I am eventually able to receive the very thing I asked for.

This week we've asked some really honest questions. Monday we admitted that we often doubt God. Wednesday we acknowledged that we doubt because we grow weary of when God is going to act. Yesterday we unpacked our expectations fed by our doubt. All this week we've talked about why we grow impatient with God when we're focused on what we want. Yet all week long we've talked about the process of how we come to receive what we want.

How long have you been waiting for your prayer to be answered? However long its been I bet you've been waiting for God to finally do something. Truth is this: God's been active from the very moment you first asked. In the process He's been doing something in your life, in someone else's life, or in the circumstances therein. And, perhaps there's a lot that He had to do in order for you to receive. Or, perhaps there is still more He has to do before you receive.

Until your prayer is "answered" trust that God is in the process. Instead of begging Him to do something, ask Him what He's already doing. Ask God to show you how He's active in the process  Ask God to show what He's doing in you in the process. Ask God to show you the blessings in the process.

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program continue with their morning class, "Celibacy and Sexuality." Today the men will learn more about the dynamics of inner healing, as well as the role of forgiveness in inner healing.

The 22 priests and seminarians here for the 30-day retreat will conclude their 3-day orientation for the Spiritual Exercises. Today the men will conclude their introduction to the dynamics of spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation. The retreat, and its silence, begin tonight. Day 1, the first full day of the retreat, is tomorrow, Saturday.

Today's Quote from Pope Benedict XVI:

"Hope is practiced through the virtue of patience, which continues to do good even in the face of apparent failure; and through the virtue of humility which accepts God’s mystery and trusts him even at times of darkness."
― Deus Caritas Est, no. 39

Desire vs. Expectation

Readings at Mass l Thursday of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time

> Genesis 16:1-12;15-16

> Psalm 106:1-2b,3-4a,4b-5
> Matthew 7:21-29

> All the readings together

In the first reading at today's Mass we continue with the story of Abraham (Abram) and Sarah (Sarai). Yesterday, God made Abram a promise. “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great. ... Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so, shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:1&5) However, time has passed ... a lot of time. Today we read: “Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 16:3) and yet “Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children” (Genesis 16:1).

Big promise, no kids. And, after ten long years of waiting, Sarai takes things into her own hands: “The Lord has kept me from bearing children. Have intercourse then with my maid; perhaps I shall have sons through her.” (Genesis 16:2) Sarai is tired of waiting. She wants her promise, she wants her children and she's ready to take control of her life again. And so the story unfolds ... “Abram heeded Sarai’s request.” (Genesis 16:2)

Of course, this gets ugly ... quick. Abram sleeps with Sarai's servant, Hagar. Hagar conceives and immediately Sarai is jealous. Sarai is cruel to Hagar and eventually banishes Hagar into the desert. Yikes, this story started great ... how did get to this point?

There is a difference between desire and expectation. Desire is a movement of the soul, an authentic stirring of our heart that many times is merely a cooperation with the desire of God within us. Saint Augustine once remarked “Our deepest desires are God's desires in us.” The ordered desires within us that move us toward God are from God Himself. Ordered desires are good, very good.

On the other hand, expectation is when we grasp at desire. Expectation is when construct an image of how and when our desires will come to be. Expectations are never from God.

The architecture of the human heart is such that we are built to receive from God. To be human is to receive from God. God made a promise to Abram and Sarai and God wants to give it to them. However, when Sarai gets tired of waiting she begins to doubt. Doubt about “how” often seduces us to doubt “who” (namely, God). When we doubt God we distance ourselves from God; we distance ourselves from relating to and trusting in God. Once isolated, humans have only one response: to take control of my own life and live life on my terms.

Sarai's doubt leads to Sarai's control. However, Sarai's doubt was preceded by her expectations. It's important to see how when Sarai's expectations weren't met, it was then that she doubts God's promise.

You and I are just like Sarai. You and I have desires. Each of us have prayers that we know God has heard. However, you and I have expectations of how those desires are going to come to be. Each of us has expectations of our marriages ... or our kids ... or our families ... or our job ... or our mid-life ... or our retirement ... or our spiritual life.

The key is to stay in the desire and let go of the expectation. Trust that God can only want what is absolutely best for you. Stay with the desire and let go of how or when He will come through for you.

However, most importantly, as you let go of expectation hold on to God. Stay in relationship. Never stop relating. Don't stop praying. Stay there ... trust the process. After all, 4,000 years later, every Christian alive today is a descendant of Sarai ... God did come through on his promise.

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program continue with their morning class, “Celibacy and Sexuality.” Today the men will learn more about the temptations threatening their celibacy, as well as how best respond to these temptations in lieu of the tools they have been given this summer. In the afternoon the seminarians visit one of over 50 sites within the Archdiocese of Omaha for three hours of pastoral ministry.

The 22 priests and seminarians here for the 30-day retreat continue with day 2 of orientation for the Spiritual Exercises. Today the men will learn more about spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation, as well as how these impact their experience of prayer. Silence begins Friday night. Day 1 of the retreat is Saturday.

Today's Quote from Pope Benedict XVI:

“St. Augustine, in a homily on the First Letter of John, describes very beautifully the intimate relationship between prayer and hope. He defines prayer as an exercise of desire. Man was created for greatness—for God himself; he was created to be filled by God. But his heart is too small for the greatness to which it is destined. It must be stretched. ‘By delaying [his gift], God strengthens our desire; through desire he enlarges our soul and by expanding it he increases its capacity [for receiving him].”
― Spe Salvi, no. 33

When

Readings at Mass l Wednesday of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time

> Genesis 15:1-12,17-18

> Psalm 105:1-2,3-4,6-7,8-9
> Matthew 7:15-20

> All the readings together

“But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless?’” (Genesis 15:2)

I love the story of Abraham. His is a story of promise, of patience, and perseverance. His is a story of doubt, despair, and deceit. There's a lot of you and me in Abraham. There's a lot of our story in his story. The story of Abraham and Sarah has much to teach us.

Today's first reading at Mass is a legendary conversation between God the Father and Abram. Today illustrates the continuation of God's promise to Abram: his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. God has promised; God has spoken.

Yet, we can hear Abram's fatigue today as he replies ... when? “But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless?’” (Genesis 15:2)

When?

Abram did indeed experience transformation. God changed his name from Abram to Abraham. God blessed him abundantly with descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abraham died a blessed man. However, none of it happened how Abraham thought it would; none of it happened when Abraham thought it would.

Most of us who read blogs like this believe in God, want God, and are in relationship with God. Most of us who read blogs like this know God is faithful and comes through on His promises. However, most of us quietly ask ... when? When will our prayers be answered? When will our lives be transformed? When will that burden be lifted? When will that miracle happen? When will we feel His nearness again? When will our marriages, and families, and loved ones experience the blessings we yearn for?

When?

There's a difference between waiting for God to do something versus waiting with God as He does something when and how He wants. The beauty of Abraham's story is that Abraham journeyed with the Lord as he waited for the promise to be fulfilled. You and I have to do the same.

God has heard you. I promise you ― God has heard you. Now, until your deepest prayer gets answered you'll be tempted to ask ... when? As time passes, and it seems as if nothing is happening, the fatigue of the wait will tempt you to believe that God isn't doing anything. Then, in the fatigue, you'll ask ... when? That's where you and I need to stay in relationship. Stay still ... stay with the Lord ...  wait with God as you wait for God.

Where have you been begging for a miracle? What relationship or issue have you longed for God to display His power? What have you been begging God for? Where are you asking “when?” There ― right there ― are you waiting with God or for God?

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program continue with their morning class, “Celibacy and Sexuality.” Today the men will learn more about how to better choose virtue and chastity in the face of temptation during spiritual desolation.

The 22 priests and seminarians here for the 30-day retreat will begin day 1 of orientation for the Spiritual Exercises. Silence begins Friday night. Day 1 of the retreat is Saturday.

Today's Quote from Pope Benedict XVI:

“In prayer, we must learn to have greater trust in Divine Providence, to ask God for the strength to abandon our own selves in order to renew our 'yes', to repeat to Him, 'your will be done', to conform our will to His. This is a prayer we must repeat every day, because it is not always easy to entrust oneself to the will of God.”
― General Audience, February 1, 2012

Person

Readings at Mass l Tuesday of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time

> Genesis 13:2, 5-18

> Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
> Matthew 7:6;12-14

> All the readings together

“And those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14)

The Gospel from the Scripture readings at today's Mass is a continuation of Jesus' great Sermon on the Mount. Today, in Matthew 7, we read: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

“And those who find it are few.” Why? Why so few? Most of us are looking for a path. Many of us are looking for a way to live our life. We want answers to our questions; we want a list of things to do so that we can do well. However, Jesus doesn't offer us a way, for He is the Way.

In Deus Caritas Est, no. 1, Pope Benedict XVI writes: “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” Being Christian is about Christ, it's about Jesus. Being a disciple is less about a checklist for living and more about a person we're living with. Being Christian is a about a person and His name is Jesus Christ.

It's easier for us to follow a “way” or a “check list.” There, we're still in control. There, we're really don't have to surrender fully. Most of us want to be disciples on our terms. Few people desire the person of Jesus Christ as revealed by Gospel. Why? People force you to change your life. People force you to be known. People force you to know them. Thus, when Jesus says “those who find it are few” He's highlighting the fact that few us want the person more than we want to control our own discipleship.

How are you doing with the person? How's your relationship with Christ? Do you spend more time on trying to get it right or with the person of Christ? Does the person of Christ have access to all areas of your life? What is the person of Christ asking of you today ... right now?

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program are in class in the morning and pastoral ministry in the afternoon. In their morning class, “Celibacy and Sexuality,” the men will learn more about the stages involved in grieving, with a particular emphasis in the area of celibacy. In addition, they will recognize grief as an ordinary part of life. In the afternoon the seminarians visit one of over 50 sites within the Archdiocese of Omaha for three hours of pastoral ministry.

In addition, today 22 priests and seminarians arrive on campus for orientation preparing them for the start of the 30-day retreat.

Today's Quote from Pope Benedict XVI:

“Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”
― Deus Caritas Est, no. 1

Doubt

Readings at Mass l Monday of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

> Isaiah 49:1-6

> Psalm 139:1b-3,13-14ab,14c-15
> Acts 13:22-26
> Luke 1:57-66;80

> All the readings together

Today the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist. Let's get to know the story before we unpack the message. (Quoted passages come from Luke, chapter 1)

John the Baptist's father was Zechariah. Zechariah was a holy and high ranking priest at the Temple in Jerusalem. John the Baptist's mother was Elizabeth. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were “righteous in the eyes of God”. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were “advanced in years and had no children.”

One day, when Zechariah “was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God”, “he entered the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense” so that he might pray on behalf of all of the people of Israel. While he we was praying “the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.’”

Here's the story in a nutshell. Zechariah and Elizabeth are old ... and they have no children. Elizabeth is past her child-bearing years and their desire for children has been replaced with the grief that they shall never have their own. When the angel appears to Zechariah proclaiming that he will indeed have a son, Zechariah doubts that this could happen not that will happen. Zechariah doubts God's power; Zechariah doubts God's presence in his own life. Of course, Zechariah later assents ... Elizabeth indeed gives birth ... and Zechariah names him John as the angel proclaims.

Many of us have doubt. Perhaps we doubt our lives will really change. Perhaps we doubt whether we can really stop our pattern of sin. Perhaps we doubt that our marriages, or families, or finances, or nation, or parishes will really change. We may even doubt whether the triumphant God is really active in our lives. Doubt is a part of life. The question is this: where do we take the doubt? Do we take the doubt to the Lord (as Mary did in the Annunciation) or do we ruminate in the doubt, mulling it over in our mind (as Zechariah did in today's story)?

Where do we take the doubt? In fact, Zechariah and Elizabeth were advanced in years. There is no biological way they should have been able to conceive children. Zechariah's doubt is well-founded. However, Zechariah is invited to relate his doubt ― to take his doubt to the Lord.

Where do you most need the Lord? Where are you doubting? Now ... ask yourself this: where are going with the doubt? Talk to the Lord about your heart, your desires, and your doubt.

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program have one class today: Celibacy and Sexuality. Today the men will learn about the psychological and spiritual dimensions of sexuality, as well as clear teaching on the Church's teaching in regards to same-sex attraction.

Today's Quote from B16:

“The Christian is a person of hope, even and especially in the face of the darkness that often exists in the world, not as a consequence of God’s plans but because of the wrong choices of man, because the Christian knows that the power of faith can move mountains, the Lord can brighten even the deepest darkness.”
― Homily at Vespers, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, December 31, 2012

Homily: Follow Me: Part 2

Follow Me: Part 2

June 23, 2013 l 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Click here to see the entire series

Notes for Part 2

No. 1: "A particularly dangerous phenomenon for faith has arisen in our times: indeed a form of atheism exists which we define, precisely, as 'practical', in which the truths of faith or religious rites are not denied but are merely deemed irrelevant to daily life, detached from life, pointless. So it is that people often believe in God in a superficial manner, and live 'as though God did not exist'. In the end, however, this way of life proves even more destructive because it leads to indifference to faith and to the question of God."

— Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, November 14, 2012

No. 2: The Matrix, Warner Brothers, 1999

No. 3: "without reference to God’s original plan and its hope of restoration in Christ people tend to accept discord ... 'as just the way it is.' ... When we normalize our fallen state, it is akin to thinking it normal to driving with flat tires. We intuit that something is amiss, but when everyone drives around in the same state we lack a point of reference for anything different."

—Christopher West, Theology of the Body Explained, pg. 60

No. 4: "People are thirsty, and when people are thirsty enough they’ll drink the sand in the desert when they see a mirage."

— The American President, Universal Pictures, 1995

No. 5: "But who do you say that I am?"

— Luke 9:20

No. 6: "Then he said to all, 'If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

— Luke 9:23

No. 7: "If God does not exist, life is empty, the future is empty."

— Pope Benedict XVI, August 15, 2006

No. 8: "if God exists, everything changes, life is light, our future is light and we have guidance for how to live."

— Pope Benedict XVI, August 15, 2006

No. 9: "He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.'"
— Luke 4:16-19

No. 10: "Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
— Ephesians 3:20

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Homily: Follow Me: Part 1

Follow Me: Part 1

June 23, 2013 l 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Click here to see the entire series

Notes for Part 1

No. 1: "Man is in search of God. ... Even after losing through his sin his likeness to God, man remains an image of his Creator, and retains the desire for the one who calls him into existence."
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2566

No. 2: "People are thirsty, and when people are thirsty enough they’ll drink the sand in the desert when they see a mirage."
— The American President, Universal Pictures, 1995

No. 3: "By natural reason man can know God with certainty, on the basis of his works. But there is another order of knowledge, which man cannot possibly arrive at by his own powers: the order of divine Revelation. Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed himself and given himself to man. This he does by revealing the mystery, his plan of loving goodness, formed from all eternity in Christ, for the benefit of all men. God has fully revealed this plan by sending us his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit."
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 50

No. 4: "Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction."
— Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, no. 1

No. 5: "Who do the crowds say that I am?" (Luke 9:18) ... "But who do you say that I am?" (Luke 9:20)

No. 6: "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
— Matthew 12:30

No. 7: "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
— 2nd Timothy 3:16

No. 8: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth."
— John 1:14

No. 9: "Philip said to him, 'Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.'"
— John 14:8

No. 10: "In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son."
— Hebrews 1:1

No. 11: "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'"
— Luke 9:19

No. 12: "Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."
— Philippians 2:6

No. 13: "A particularly dangerous phenomenon for faith has arisen in our times: indeed a form of atheism exists which we define, precisely, as 'practical', in which the truths of faith or religious rites are not denied but are merely deemed irrelevant to daily life, detached from life, pointless. So it is that people often believe in God in a superficial manner, and live 'as though God did not exist'. In the end, however, this way of life proves even more destructive because it leads to indifference to faith and to the question of God."
— Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, November 14, 2012

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

In

Readings at Mass on Friday of the 11th Week of Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious

> 2nd Corinthians 11:18,21-30

> Psalm 34:2-3,4-5,6-7
> Matthew 6:19-23

> All the readings together.

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2nd Corinthians 11:30)

Today's first reading at Mass is good news for those of us who know what it's like to sometimes feel close to God and while other times feel far from God. Saint Paul speaks of his weakness today. In fact, today he boasts of his weakness.

How do you feel about your weaknesses? How do you feel about your fallen nature, your brokenness? Most of us hate our weakness. I used to. Saint Paul used to. In 2nd Corinthians 12:8 he admits: “Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me.” You can hear his disdain. He hates his weakness. He begs God to take away his weakness. What changed in Saint Paul wasn't the removal of his weakness. What changed in Saint Paul was his communion with Christ in the weakness. The Lord soon responded to Paul's plea, saying: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2nd Corinthians 12:9)

Sure, God is displeased with sin. God never wants us to grasp or pull away from Him. However, deeper than the action of sin is our weakness, the attitudes and structures of belief within us that lead to our pulling away from God.

While we're called to grown into full maturity in our spiritual life, we're never called to do that apart from Christ. Therefore, the first step is to admit our weakness ... and admit how we feel about our weakness. Then, let him in. Let the Lord in to your weakness.

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D. writes: “The work of the Spirit must be met with a vulnerable faith so as to receive the truth of who Christ is from within the poverty of our being. ‘He must increase and I must decrease’ (John 3:30). ... It is divine self-giving and the positive human response to accept such love that healing is known. Trust, vulnerability, rapt listening, integrity all precede the fullness of healing; otherwise God could incorrectly be seen as entering a magic relationship and not one of human freedom and fullness. We must present ourselves in such a way that Christ can enter our hearts with truth. And such a way of presenting ourselves is encapsulated in the virtue of humility.” (1)

Saint Paul was transformed when let God in. Millions since then have been transformed when they let God in. I, too―a weak man in need of a Savior―have seen transformation by first letting God in.

How do you feel about your weakness? What don't you like about yourself? Where do you feel alone ... or powerless ... or trapped? There ... right there ... God is near ... He is knocking ... He desires you ... He merely wants permission to come in.

Will you let Him in?

(1)  James Keating, Ph.D., The Eucharist and the Healing of Our Affection for Sin

 © Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program are in two classes.

In their first class, 502: Celibacy and Sexuality, the men will learn about psychological and spiritual dimensions of addictions, as well as the need for the virtues of prudence and temperance in regards to the use of the internet and social media. In their second class, 503: Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood, the men will learn more about what it means to be a shepherd and how it connects to the spirituality of a diocesan priest.

Speaking at the National Catholic Bible Conference today ... prayers, as always, welcomed.

Today's Quote from B16:

“Even when we have to struggle continually with the same failings, it is important to resist the coarsening of our souls and the indifference which would simply accept that this is the way we are. It is important to keep pressing forward, without scrupulosity, in the grateful awareness that God forgives us ever anew—yet also without the indifference that might lead us to abandon altogether the struggle for holiness and self-improvement. Moreover, by letting myself be forgiven, I learn to forgive others. In recognizing my own weakness, I grow more tolerant and understanding of the failings of my neighbor.”
― Letter to Seminarians

Near

Readings at Mass on Thursday of the 11th Week of Ordinary Time

> 2nd Corinthians 11:1-11

> Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 7-8
> Matthew 6:7-15

> All the readings together

“if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted” (2nd Corinthians 11:4)

The first reading from the Scriptures at today's daily Mass is timeless and therefore timely. Saint Paul urges the church in Corinth to stay faithful to the teachings that he himself delivered. He cautions them not to leave the truth he gave them just because “someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached ... a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted”. Saint Paul urges them to stay true to Jesus, the Jesus Christ they came to know through the Gospel.

Today, we too can be distracted by the subtle false teachings that threaten our experience of the person of Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict XVI teaches: “God never abandons his children, he never forgets them. He is above us and is able to save us by his power. At the same time, he is near to his people, and through his Son Jesus Christ he has wished to make his dwelling place among us.”

Jesus Christ is near. Beware of two seductions that are amidst us these days.

On one extreme, the popular “WWJD” actually undermines the truth of the Gospel. We never have to speculate what Jesus would do. Jesus is doing ... now. He is near; He is active and alive. He is near and present to you ... now. Jesus is real ... and He is really active in your life. WWJD is a modern heresy couched in hip bracelets and grunge t-shirts. It seduces us into “wondering” what Jesus would do if He were with me. We are invited to speculate what would He do. Be aware: Jesus is near. He is doing everything in your life. He is near.

On the other extreme, our culture strips Jesus of His identity as the Son of God, fully divine. Today's culture presents Jesus as merely a historical figure. Worse yet, Jesus is presented as our “buddy”. Our culture wants to think of Jesus as a nice guy who likes the birds, the forest, and all the animals on the list of endangered species. This too is a heresy. By believing in this “chummy” Jesus presented by the culture, we may be seduced in believing that Jesus is about as powerful as Mr. Rogers: they both have good advice and they both are nice. Eh hem ... Jesus is not chummy; Jesus is not Mr. Rogers. Jesus doesn't simply like the birds, the forest, and endangered animals. Jesus Christ crushed evil. Jesus Christ destroyed the sting of death. Jesus Christ is the only person getting you to Heaven. Who is Jesus? Listen to His own words: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19) Jesus Christ is God. He is more powerful than anything in existence.

Jesus Christ is not distant, nor is He Mr. Rogers. Jesus Christ is near. And, the Jesus that is near to you is Power itself. The God who is near to you today can heal your wounds. He can redeem your secret addictions. He can destroy the bondage that enslaves you. He can transform your marriage, your finances, and your fear. He can guide you through your confusion. He can open a way where you don't see a way. Yes, that's Jesus ... and He is with you ... now ... He is near.

He is near you.

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program are in two classes.

In their first class, 502: Celibacy and Sexuality, for the second day in a row, the men will learn about Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body,” particularly in relation to the spousal meaning of the body and the call to priestly celibacy. In their second class, 503: Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood, the men will learn more about what it means to be a spiritual physician and how it connects to the spirituality of a diocesan priest.

Great visit with Dad. God's blessings to he and the Cadiere's as they drive back to Cajun Country.

Fly to Philadelphia tonight to speak tomorrow at the National Catholic Bible Conference ... prayers welcomed.

Today's Quote from Pope Benedict XVI:

“God never abandons his children, he never forgets them. He is above us and is able to save us by his power. At the same time, he is near to his people, and through his Son Jesus Christ he has wished to make his dwelling place among us.”
― Homily in Revolution Square
, Havana, Cuba
, March 28, 2012

Environment

Readings at Mass on Wednesday of the 11th Week of Ordinary Time

> 2nd Corinthians 9:6-11

> Psalm 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 9
> Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 

> All the readings together

“Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” (2nd Corinthians 9:8)

What stirs within your heart as you read the above passage from Saint Paul's letter to the Corinthians?  “God is able to make every grace abundant for you” ... “having all you need” ... “you may have an abundance”. Do believe this? Do you really believe this? Is this your experience of God's presence? Is this your experience of God answering your prayer?

Many of us aren't used to God giving us “everything” or “all we need” or “abundance”. So, why is it that sometimes God blesses us with “everything” and why is it that sometimes it seems as if  God doesn't act at all?

We should remember that God doesn't act like us. He doesn't think like us. He doesn't respond like us. In Isaiah 55 we read: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” When God hears us, He does indeed listen; however, God responds from His perspective.

• First: He sees our whole life all at once. He knows what is best for us. He acts within the big picture. Thus, while we can only “see” what is immediately in front of us, God sees the big picture. He sees our past, our present, and our future. He always sees our future when we're pleading in the present. We can't see what He sees, but He can see everything.
• Second: God sees eternity. God sees Heaven and Earth. Many times we plead for things that will help us while we are on Earth. However, do all our prayers take into consideration what is necessary for us to get to Heaven? God sees our prayer now; God hears us. However, God's ultimate desire is for us to be with Him forever in Heaven. God takes into consideration your desires now; however, He also takes into consideration your ultimate destiny which is Heaven.
• Third: God sees the whole conversation. Often times I beg God to answer my prayer. Sometimes my prayer is answered when and how I desire. When that happens, I often continue my conversation with the Lord because I am pleased with His response. However, sometimes my prayer is not answered when and how I desire. When that happens, I often leave the conversation with the Lord because I am frustrated with my impression that He did not answer my plea. When we leave the Lord because He didn't answer our prayer when and how we wanted we leave the big picture and revert to self-sufficiency. Then, we don't give God a chance to speak or explain. That's when we live confused. That's not fair to God, nor is that fair to us.

Fr. Scott Traynor, a great priest and a great friend of IPF, has helped me immensely. He reminds me often: at the moments in my life when I have had a powerful experience of God three things were present: (1) my desire for God, (2) God's desire for me, and (3) I was in a favorable environment that helped (1) and (2) come together. For example, when I've been on retreat I was in a favorable environment that helped God's desire for me and my desire for God come together. Or, for example, when I've slowed down to really seek the Lord I was in a favorable environment that helped me actually hear the God who is always with me.

Our desire for God is always there. God's desire for us is always there. Now, here's the key: is the favorable environment always there? Are we listening? Are we showing up? Are we consistently putting ourselves in a position where the noise of the world is confronted with the silence that is often necessary to really hear the Lord the way we desire?

Are the conditions in my life such that I really have the favorable environment necessary for me to grow in my relationship with God?

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program are in two classes.

In their first class, 502: Celibacy and Sexuality, the men will learn about Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body,” particularly in relation to the spousal meaning of the body and the call to priestly celibacy. In their second class, 503: Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood, the men will learn more about what it means to be a spiritual father and how it connects to the spirituality of a diocesan priest.

Great day in Eaux-maha yesterday. Had a great day with Dad. Even though the Tigers lost, there is much to be grateful for. I am blessed with great parents and a great family.

Today's Quote from B16:

“If we place our trust in the Lord and follow his teachings, we will always reap immense rewards.”
― Homily, Floriana Granaries, Malta, April 18, 2010

Perfect

Readings at Daily Mass on Tuesday of the 11th Week of Ordinary Time

> 2nd Corinthians 8:1-9

> Psalm 146:2,5-6ab,6c-7,8-9a
> Matthew 5:43-48

> All the readings together

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Life is busy. I often feel busy; you often feel busy; most of us are simply trying to catch our breath from  a busy Monday. Hmmmmm.

Ponder for a second ...

• “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” (Gandhi)
• “Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to what they want to do.” (Kathleen Winsor)
• “The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is on the contrary born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else- we are the busiest people in the world.” (Eric Hoffer)

Just when it seems as if we have so much to do, a quick glance at today's Gospel reading from daily Mass can seem almost incomprehensible: “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Whew ... no pressure.

When Jesus invites us to be perfect, He is inviting us to have Him as our standard of forgiveness and mercy. God is love, perfect love; God is mercy, perfect mercy. Life can feel so busy we can project onto God our own limitations and harridness. Thus, it's so easy for us to feel busy, stretched, and short with others that we erroneously feel that God is also busy, stretched, and short with us. Because of our limitations we find it difficult to really forgive and show unbridled mercy to others who have hurt us. When we do so, we then struggle to interiorly experience God's unbridled mercy in our lives. Therefore, many of carry skeletons in our closet, closing our heart to God every time we close a chapter of our life. And ... then we just get busier ... hoping the activity in the frenzied pace can bring us “peace.”

Whew. “There is more to life than increasing its speed.”

God is love, perfect love; God is mercy, perfect mercy. He first wants to bring that to you. Then, once you and I actually experience God's perfect mercy it will be easier for us to do the same with others.

What about you? Do you feel busy ... too busy? Why are you so busy ... really? Are there chapters of your life you've “moved on” from? Is that door closed? If so, is it closed to God? Do you really believe that God is perfect? If so, do you really believe that His mercy is perfect for you?

© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

Today @ IPF:

The 169 seminarians in the Seminarians Summer Program are in two classes.

In their first class, 502: Celibacy and Sexuality, the men will learn how to respond in a healthy way when they experience desolation within their celibacy. In their second class, 503: Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood, the men will learn more about their identity as a celibate spouse and how it connects to the spirituality of a diocesan priest.

Back in Eaux-maha today. Tons of purple and gold here! Dad flew up yesterday, he is with me on campus ... we're gonna have a great week together! Geaux Tigers!

Today's Quote from B16:

“God excludes no one, neither the poor nor the rich. God does not let himself be conditioned by our human prejudices, but sees in everyone a soul to save and is especially attracted to those who are judged as lost and who think themselves so. Jesus Christ, the Incarnation of God, has demonstrated this immense mercy, which takes nothing away from the gravity of sin, but aims always at saving the sinner, at offering him the possibility of redemption, of starting again from the beginning, of converting.”
― Anngelus Address, Saint Peter's Square, October 31, 2010