So, if you ask Catholics to turn to Luke 15:11-32, most would probably know exactly what story you would be talking about. Just kidding. We're Catholic. We don't know Scripture. It's the story of the Prodigal Son (oh yeah, NOW I know what you're talking about!). This particular passage is the perfect measuring stick to see where you are in your own relationship with the Heavenly Father.
I can remember praying over this passage when I first came back to the church. At this time, I had never even heard of the concept of praying with the Gospels so you can imagine that I was blown away by this new revelation. As I read through it, I could easily see that yep, I'm the first son. I was lost but now found, blind but now I can see. And just as the Father threw a party for his son, I was in the middle of my own party.
I also remember praying with this passage this summer. It's probably good to know that this was at my summer training when I had already accepted a job with FOCUS, and things (for the most part) were going well. I read through and could not really place myself with either brother. I had already come back to the Church. I was trying my best to obedient to the Father and His will, but unlike the second son, I was doing it all out of love. I realized that my party was over, and now it was time to go to work. It kind of took the wind out of my sails, but it was certainly what I needed to hear 2 months before I hit campus.
Then I prayed with the Gospel story one more time, not more than 3 weeks ago. I was skeptical to pray over it again, since I had looked at it so many times over the last year and a half, but I figured, there has got to be a reason it's on the list of passages for my WRAP schedule, so I better give it a shot and listen. And man, what I heard from God was certainly was not expected. Again, much like the summer, I did not place myself in the proverbial sandals of either brother. I was not the Father. And I certainly was not the servant who spoke to the older brother. So where do I fit? How is God speaking to me through this? After racking my brain for a couple minutes, I finally got it. I am the 3rd brother!
Hold on a second...there are only 2 brothers...right? Yeah there are. I'm not trying to pull a fast one over you here. But when you really think about it, should there not be a 3rd brother? We have one son who has continually sinned and distrusted the Father in that way, and we have another son that does the work but distrusts the Father in the fact that he doesn't do any of it out of love. He is just playing the role of the "the good son." So where is the son that is following the rules, but doing it out of love and trust in the Father? And that was when I realized that that son is me...and at times I can be hidden from view as well (based on the few posts of this new blog, you can really tell that God has been extremely generous to me in prayer). I need to be the guy that is giving a swift kick in the tail to both brothers, telling them to wake up. But I don't. It is so easy to sit on the sideline and just be comfortable. I say to myself, "I can't say anything to him because he might get mad at me," or "I should probably keep all this to myself for fear hurting someone's feelings." NEWSFLASH! We aren't here to make someone's feelings okay. We are not in the business of keeping people happy. We are in the business of turning boys into men! That's the job I signed up for!
So I guess what I'm saying is that maybe you're the first son and maybe you're the second son. And when you find yourself there, you know that you need to work hard to make sure that everything you do, you do it out of love and trust in the Father so He can get you out of that hole. But eventually, you will find yourself in the position of the 3rd brother. God will call you to lend a helping hand to your brothers and sisters in need, and when that time comes...will you step up to the plate and answer that call? Will you be the one that God can count on to save the soul of another just as He saved yours?
In Christ,
Josh
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Come
"Peter got out of the boat and he began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (Matthew 14: 29-30).
Verses 22-32 in the 14th chapter of Matthew have to be some of my favorite verses in all of Scripture. It is the ultimate measuring stick of faith. You get to place yourself in the shoes of Peter and ask yourself just how far you would get across the water. Would you make it all the way to Jesus? Would you get halfway? Would you even step out of the boat? OR would you sit back and be scared to even ask like the rest of the disciples?
These are valid questions to ask yourself when your faith is being tested, or if you just feel like your faith is absent. I know for me personally, being able to pray over this section from Matthew has enabled me the ability to really check where I am in my own faith. There are times for me where I am not only out of the boat, but sprinting towards Jesus and never looking down. "Yes, Jesus I'm coming. I'm exhausted from running this race, but I'm coming and I'm not stopping." However, there are other times when I am afraid to get out of the boat. "No Jesus, I can't. I'll drown."
What needs to be remembered and what must never be forgotten is that Jesus will never let you drown. Even if you feel like you're about to sink, don't take your eyes of Christ because He is never taking his eyes off of you. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and he started to sink. "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mathew 14:31) Sounds like a reprimand or a condemnation right? It's not. It's an invitation. It is an invitation to grow in your faith, to trust more in the saving power of God. Will it hurt? Yeah. Will it be uncomfortable? Yeah. But it doesn't matter! Because whenever you stick your neck out and trust God, all you have to do is go back to this story. In verse 31 before he asks Peter why he doubted, he saved him. "Immediately he stretched out his hand and caught him."
Peter took a chance and was saved. He may have gotten a little wet and possibly a little embarrassed, but he was saved. Now it's your turn. Take a chance. Step out of the boat and run towards Christ. But do not ever take your eyes off of him and his cross. Jesus will save you and protect you at all times. All you need to do is just have a little faith.
Verses 22-32 in the 14th chapter of Matthew have to be some of my favorite verses in all of Scripture. It is the ultimate measuring stick of faith. You get to place yourself in the shoes of Peter and ask yourself just how far you would get across the water. Would you make it all the way to Jesus? Would you get halfway? Would you even step out of the boat? OR would you sit back and be scared to even ask like the rest of the disciples?
These are valid questions to ask yourself when your faith is being tested, or if you just feel like your faith is absent. I know for me personally, being able to pray over this section from Matthew has enabled me the ability to really check where I am in my own faith. There are times for me where I am not only out of the boat, but sprinting towards Jesus and never looking down. "Yes, Jesus I'm coming. I'm exhausted from running this race, but I'm coming and I'm not stopping." However, there are other times when I am afraid to get out of the boat. "No Jesus, I can't. I'll drown."
What needs to be remembered and what must never be forgotten is that Jesus will never let you drown. Even if you feel like you're about to sink, don't take your eyes of Christ because He is never taking his eyes off of you. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and he started to sink. "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mathew 14:31) Sounds like a reprimand or a condemnation right? It's not. It's an invitation. It is an invitation to grow in your faith, to trust more in the saving power of God. Will it hurt? Yeah. Will it be uncomfortable? Yeah. But it doesn't matter! Because whenever you stick your neck out and trust God, all you have to do is go back to this story. In verse 31 before he asks Peter why he doubted, he saved him. "Immediately he stretched out his hand and caught him."
Peter took a chance and was saved. He may have gotten a little wet and possibly a little embarrassed, but he was saved. Now it's your turn. Take a chance. Step out of the boat and run towards Christ. But do not ever take your eyes off of him and his cross. Jesus will save you and protect you at all times. All you need to do is just have a little faith.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Our German Shepherd
I think I would have been doing a disservice if I would have spent my time writing this week about anything other than the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI. When the announcement came out on Monday, I, like most of the Catholic Community was absolutely shocked. I instantly knew that this was my material for the week and I felt like I needed to write about it immediately. So I started thinking about what I would write about Papa Bene and his life and then I came to the realization that I really didn't have anything...
April 2, 2005. The day that Pope John Paul II passed on from this world. At the time I was a 15 year old kid who was starting to form his own identity, one certainly not centered in the church. However, I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing on that historic day, much like I can tell you where I was when the twin towers were struck or when the president was elected. That's the kind of impact that man had. His death made me take my mind off of a silly freshman baseball game in Bellevue, Nebraska and focus the rest of the day to man I had never met, or never even really knew.
One thing that I can't tell you is where I was when Pope Benedict was elected to the papacy. In fact, without looking it up, I can't even tell you the day. And I think about that, and I feel horrible. This is the pope we are talking about! The leader of our church, our Holy Father, and I can't remember a single thing about the day he was elected?! But wait a minute...don't you think that's the way he would have wanted it? A quiet man, he lived his life with his books, his window, and the birds that flew by it. That's how he liked it. But he was also a man that was incredibly obedient to God and the higher places within the church in which he was called.
Pope Benedict leaves his post on February 28 the same way he came into it, with an incredible sense of humility. When he took the job, many people questioned if he could fill the shoes that JPII left, but he didn't have to. They were two different people. John Paul II stuck out the papacy through failing health to show people how to suffer, to show people how to use that suffering for the greater good of the Kingdom. Pope Benedict leaves the seat of Peter with the humility of knowing that his health is in a place where he cannot handle the rigors of the job anymore. And don't fool yourself, he isn't retiring to some golf course to spend his days. Pope Benedict knows exactly what the church needs and that's why will be spending the rest of his days in a monastery in prayer, fasting, and penance.
So, I may not ever know when he was elected or I may forget that I was in my bed checking twitter that morning of February 11th when I read the news. But I will remember a man that gave everything he had to the church, and a man that had the humility to know that it was time to step down. His job is done and now the church looks to pass the torch to the next leader. Well done good and faithful servant.
April 2, 2005. The day that Pope John Paul II passed on from this world. At the time I was a 15 year old kid who was starting to form his own identity, one certainly not centered in the church. However, I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing on that historic day, much like I can tell you where I was when the twin towers were struck or when the president was elected. That's the kind of impact that man had. His death made me take my mind off of a silly freshman baseball game in Bellevue, Nebraska and focus the rest of the day to man I had never met, or never even really knew.
One thing that I can't tell you is where I was when Pope Benedict was elected to the papacy. In fact, without looking it up, I can't even tell you the day. And I think about that, and I feel horrible. This is the pope we are talking about! The leader of our church, our Holy Father, and I can't remember a single thing about the day he was elected?! But wait a minute...don't you think that's the way he would have wanted it? A quiet man, he lived his life with his books, his window, and the birds that flew by it. That's how he liked it. But he was also a man that was incredibly obedient to God and the higher places within the church in which he was called.
Pope Benedict leaves his post on February 28 the same way he came into it, with an incredible sense of humility. When he took the job, many people questioned if he could fill the shoes that JPII left, but he didn't have to. They were two different people. John Paul II stuck out the papacy through failing health to show people how to suffer, to show people how to use that suffering for the greater good of the Kingdom. Pope Benedict leaves the seat of Peter with the humility of knowing that his health is in a place where he cannot handle the rigors of the job anymore. And don't fool yourself, he isn't retiring to some golf course to spend his days. Pope Benedict knows exactly what the church needs and that's why will be spending the rest of his days in a monastery in prayer, fasting, and penance.
So, I may not ever know when he was elected or I may forget that I was in my bed checking twitter that morning of February 11th when I read the news. But I will remember a man that gave everything he had to the church, and a man that had the humility to know that it was time to step down. His job is done and now the church looks to pass the torch to the next leader. Well done good and faithful servant.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Mary and Her Yes
First post. Here we go!
I decided that the first real post of the blog should probably be about something really important. While, I could focus on the nativity, crucifixion, or resurrection, I thought that Mary's yes at the Annunciation would be a good place to start (especially since I've prayed on it 3 times in the last two weeks). These thirteen verses in chapter 1 of Luke's Gospel not only tell the story of how Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, but truly gives in insight on how to discern God's will in our own lives. Mary goes through 5 stages that we all need to take into consideration when making a big decision.
STEP 1-HESITATION "Mary was greatly troubled at his words." (Luke 1:29)
Now, I know what you might be thinking. Mary didn't hesitate. She was rock solid in her yes. That she was. However, we are not as solid as our Blessed Mother and more than likely will feel hesitation when asked to do something that may not be in "our plan." It's okay to hesitate. There is a natural feeling to step back when we are approached with something that may seem crazy (like becoming a missionary or entering into a vocation). Even Mary was troubled at what the angel was telling her. Don't fret!
STEP 2-QUESTIONING "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)
Gabriel has just explained to Mary that she will conceive a son and that his name will be Jesus (Luke 1:31), and "he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32). Naturally, Mary is going to wonder how this is possible since she has been kept pure and in the state of virginity. When we get into a situation where we feel we are being asked to do something by God, ask questions! It's just like the students I used to teach. If they did not understand something, I would hope that they would ask questions. Even more, God wants to answer your questions. If, as a man, you feel called to the priesthood and you have questions...ASK THEM! God wants nothing more than to go where you feel uncomfortable and unsure.
STEP 3-LISTENING (Luke 1:35-37)
Here, the angel Gabriel responds to her questions by telling her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and that the power of the Most High will overshadow her. He also reveals to her that her cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. Mary took the time to listen to what the angel, a messenger from God, had to say. In our own lives, we cannot make the right decision, the decision that God wants to make without listening to him. But Josh, what if I keep questioning and waiting but get no response? Be patient. God will reveal His plan to you on His own time (Let me just take a sip of my own medicine here...yep that's good). Dive into scripture. Pray with the Psalms. There is no better way to hear the voice of God than to rest in the word of God. Eventually, the plan will make sense to you.
STEP 4-TRUST "I am the Lord's servant." (Luke 1:38)
We may be more familiar with Mary calling herself the handmaid of the Lord but the New International Version take on it works just as well. Mary had to put complete trust in God, which she does flawlessly. In this moment, she gives herself completely to the Father and trusts that whatever He has in store for her will lead her to greatness. This trust is what we need to be at peace with the decision we make. Yeah, we can make a choice without this step, but will we really be at peace with it? I know for me personally, I am not. The more we trust in the Lord and His plan, the easier it becomes to follow that plan and live it out in our daily lives.
STEP 5-YES "May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1:38)
Mary says yes to angel. She says yes to the Holy Spirit. She says yes to the Son of God. She says yes to the Father. Because of her trust, she is able to say yes. And without her yes...I don't even want to start thinking about that. So for us, we have to be able to say yes as well. Now this doesn't mean that you say yes to every possibility that comes in your way. Missionary? YES! Priesthood? YES! Pope? YES! Okay maybe the last one is a little out there but if you have the opportunity to discern whether or not to become the pope, you are a much holier man than me. But the point is, sometimes the yes to God means a no to something else. Only God knows where you are called to be in life and if you say yes to Him everything becomes a little more clear.
5 steps. Hesitation, questioning, listening, trust, and the yes. The next time you're faced with a certain pull towards something remember Mary and her yes. Follow her lead and you won't go wrong. God bless!
In Christ,
Josh
I decided that the first real post of the blog should probably be about something really important. While, I could focus on the nativity, crucifixion, or resurrection, I thought that Mary's yes at the Annunciation would be a good place to start (especially since I've prayed on it 3 times in the last two weeks). These thirteen verses in chapter 1 of Luke's Gospel not only tell the story of how Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, but truly gives in insight on how to discern God's will in our own lives. Mary goes through 5 stages that we all need to take into consideration when making a big decision.
STEP 1-HESITATION "Mary was greatly troubled at his words." (Luke 1:29)
Now, I know what you might be thinking. Mary didn't hesitate. She was rock solid in her yes. That she was. However, we are not as solid as our Blessed Mother and more than likely will feel hesitation when asked to do something that may not be in "our plan." It's okay to hesitate. There is a natural feeling to step back when we are approached with something that may seem crazy (like becoming a missionary or entering into a vocation). Even Mary was troubled at what the angel was telling her. Don't fret!
STEP 2-QUESTIONING "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)
Gabriel has just explained to Mary that she will conceive a son and that his name will be Jesus (Luke 1:31), and "he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32). Naturally, Mary is going to wonder how this is possible since she has been kept pure and in the state of virginity. When we get into a situation where we feel we are being asked to do something by God, ask questions! It's just like the students I used to teach. If they did not understand something, I would hope that they would ask questions. Even more, God wants to answer your questions. If, as a man, you feel called to the priesthood and you have questions...ASK THEM! God wants nothing more than to go where you feel uncomfortable and unsure.
STEP 3-LISTENING (Luke 1:35-37)
Here, the angel Gabriel responds to her questions by telling her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and that the power of the Most High will overshadow her. He also reveals to her that her cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. Mary took the time to listen to what the angel, a messenger from God, had to say. In our own lives, we cannot make the right decision, the decision that God wants to make without listening to him. But Josh, what if I keep questioning and waiting but get no response? Be patient. God will reveal His plan to you on His own time (Let me just take a sip of my own medicine here...yep that's good). Dive into scripture. Pray with the Psalms. There is no better way to hear the voice of God than to rest in the word of God. Eventually, the plan will make sense to you.
STEP 4-TRUST "I am the Lord's servant." (Luke 1:38)
We may be more familiar with Mary calling herself the handmaid of the Lord but the New International Version take on it works just as well. Mary had to put complete trust in God, which she does flawlessly. In this moment, she gives herself completely to the Father and trusts that whatever He has in store for her will lead her to greatness. This trust is what we need to be at peace with the decision we make. Yeah, we can make a choice without this step, but will we really be at peace with it? I know for me personally, I am not. The more we trust in the Lord and His plan, the easier it becomes to follow that plan and live it out in our daily lives.
STEP 5-YES "May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1:38)
Mary says yes to angel. She says yes to the Holy Spirit. She says yes to the Son of God. She says yes to the Father. Because of her trust, she is able to say yes. And without her yes...I don't even want to start thinking about that. So for us, we have to be able to say yes as well. Now this doesn't mean that you say yes to every possibility that comes in your way. Missionary? YES! Priesthood? YES! Pope? YES! Okay maybe the last one is a little out there but if you have the opportunity to discern whether or not to become the pope, you are a much holier man than me. But the point is, sometimes the yes to God means a no to something else. Only God knows where you are called to be in life and if you say yes to Him everything becomes a little more clear.
5 steps. Hesitation, questioning, listening, trust, and the yes. The next time you're faced with a certain pull towards something remember Mary and her yes. Follow her lead and you won't go wrong. God bless!
In Christ,
Josh
THANK YOU!
I just wanted to say thanks to you for checking out my new blog. There is nothing more important to me than the Catholic Church and I feel almost...obligated to share this with the world. So, naturally I started a blog (so original I know). I hope to post on a weekly basis with some other posts mixed in from time to time. I will comment on my thoughts about anything from the Holy Trinity to the saints and the Mary. My hope is not only will this be informational and something that gets you thinking, but also something that is fun to read and leave you wanting to share this with your friends. So, thank you once again for taking a peek and I hope you enjoy!
In Christ,
Josh
In Christ,
Josh
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