Reflections on Luke 9:18-24

Once when Jesus was with his disciples he asked.  "...who do you say that I am?"   When I hear or read that question my first response is usually, "Well, of course, you are God!!!"  Now even that answer, looking at my day to day life needs to be examined.  There is another context for that question.  A few days ago there was an article in the newspaper about the closing of some more churches... in the great Archdiocese of New York, but I am sure the same things are happening in other large urban areas and small towns.   So maybe it is from the tabernacle that we should be hearing that question.   Whenever someone famous or infamous comes on the scene, large crowds gather, camera phones and hands reach out and people proudly say, I touched him or her...  I don't even want to wash that hand, and they proudly share their digital photo.  

When we enter a Catholic Church are we conscious of coming into the presence of a real human being, let alone the Lord, Jesus, the only Son of God the center of all good things, our eternal goal and our best friend?   How many of us only enter a church when we 'hafta'.. go to a funeral or wedding or with a group we belong to.  How often do we say, "How long is this going to last?"   Would we go to any good friend's house with the same kind of attitude?

How about stopping in at a Church because our Friend who gave His life for us, who promised to be with us until the end of time, who invited the heavily burdened to come to him, who will receive us when we leave this life.  Do we smile at the tabernacle?  Do we begin with a greeting and gratitude for the audience with the greatest Person who ever lived.   Do we think Jesus has a human pleasure at our company?  We know his love is unconditional, but is it fair on our part to be so reluctant to visit, to speak and to listen to the One who is there.  

One of the reasons for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction is to reawaken us to the reality of the Lord's presence in Catholic churches and chapels.  How sad if we forget and look in vain elsewhere for wisdom and comfort in our daily problems.   Let us not treat the living and loving Jesus as a symbol of a historical presence, but of God, our Lord and King, loving to be with His human creatures.

The Dinner Party Reflections on Luke 7:36-8:3

This Gospel can easily give itself to a reflective meditation. Think of the Pharisee... sophisticated, worldly, his dining hall is set up in the "modern" Roman manner, with couches radiating from the table. He calls His friends to announce that he has succeeded in inviting the "prophet" to dinner. It is a time to watch him and to find fault to prove that he is not a real threat to their status.


As the guests on suggestion arrive early, the servant is there with the bowl of perfumed water and towel to bathe their feet and perfume for their foreheads. As they await Jesus, the servant is dismissed because the next guest is "only a small town hick".

They are not seated long when the "sinful woman" crashes the party, pouring out her love and repentance on the feet of Jesus with her tears. She then anoints his feet with a costly perfumed salve. The pharisees have "got him". He is obviously not a prophet. Jesus on the other hand is filled with love for this "one sinner who has repented". Only when criticized does he gently point out the courtesies absent from his welcome.

The unnamed woman, a sinner as conceded even by Jesus, is our best friend. There is nothing that we cannot admit to Jesus. There is no shame we can present to his judgement, fearing we will be repulsed. On the contrary, the more we are guilty the more he will forgive and heal.

Prayers Answered - Reflection on LUke 7:11-17

This story from the Gospel of Luke is one of the most moving.   Jesus just happens to see a funeral procession of the only son of a widowed mother.  His heart is moved, perhaps by a thought of His own mother and what she would soon have to face.  Completely without being asked He restores the boy to the mother.  

When tragedy strikes we ask about God's presence in our lives.  When we urgently pray about a need or desire we almost get into "vending machine mode" meaning that we have done our part, inserted our dollar, and now, where are the chips or the drink.   When there is not immediate and tangible response to our request we get discouraged and wonder about the power of prayer.   I wonder sometimes how God, who wants to be our friend, feels when we only come in need and clamor for help.

We will not know in this life how many times the compassionate heart of God sent his grace and worked miracles unasked, to keep us safe, to give us joy, to help us in our work.   If Jesus reached out to a poor widow, He must also have been reaching out to me all during my life, loving and caring for me.  I remember the wonderful surprise experiences, the good friends, the sunshine and flowers the lovely ancient forest... the safety in hundreds of close encounters... His hand was there, loving, protecting, giving joy.  I must remember to say thank you as I am sure the tearful widow did with such emotion.

The Fig Newton

Today's Gospel, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi Luke 9:11b-17 evoked an old memory.  There are people who think the multiplication of the loaves and fish was not a true physical miracle, but that those seated saw that Jesus was giving away the small amount of bread the little band had, became generous and unafraid to take out the lunch they had secretly stashed in their clothing.  

There was a period in my life when I had to do quite a bit of international traveling.  I was used to unexpected delays on airplanes without the possibility of food service.  I always carried a package of fig newtons in my hand luggage because it was sweet and moist and could do in an emergency.

On this one particular flight we were delayed in our take-off from Rome because of a black out in Marseilles which we would have to fly over and needed the observation of their control tower.   The crew passed out water and rolled up a mobile air conditioner truck but they couldn't light the stove for food nor let us get off because they never knew when they would get the word to take off.   The hours on the hot August tarmack went on and on to number six.   I looked at my little package of cookies and thought "What are these among so many?'  and selfishly and surreptitiously ate them about one an hour.  A male flight attendent who was passing out bottles of water secretly handed me a little buttered roll, "Because you are so good and patient Sorella."   I decided not to tell him it was 'smart', not patient....  and thanked him for  the little gift.

I think it was all right to eat the fig newtons, but I often wondered if Jesus might have been able to work a miracle if my faith were only stronger.