Thursday, June 27, 2019

Are you a follower?

In this weeks reading we meet three would be followers of Jesus Christ. As I read about the “followers” I saw myself. I saw how I have been a “would be follower”. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and stopped in Samaria. They weren’t too kind to him but that didn’t stop him. He was focused on getting to Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy. Him and the disciples moved on and went to another city. In that city Jesus met the first of three men.

The first man says “I will follow thee” to Jesus. Jesus replies “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” I read that a few times and I finally understood what Jesus was saying to this man. He was letting him know that if you are asking to follow me you will have to let go of the things that have kept you home. Let go of all the things that have kept you in the hole of complacency or that nest of luke warm following. To be a follower of Jesus there is no comfortable place to rest. You will have to work around the clock. How true is that?? My experience as a Christian has been filled with work. I work at keeping my faith strong. I work at loving all people. I work at being Christ-like. It doesn’t come naturally to me. I work at it daily. Some days are better than other but there really is no rest. No nest for my faith...

Soon after, Jesus meets another man and says “follow me”. This time Jesus tells the would be follower to follow him. A little different than the first but I can relate to this as well. This would be follower tells Jesus that his father needs to be buried instead of following. Jesus’s response was simple. “Let the dead bury their own” At first that seems harsh but I get it. There have been many times in my life when I have felt that I was being told to follow Jesus and trust my faith. Not verbally, but a strong urge to just let go and trust Jesus. I haven’t always done done it.. but I do get the urge. How many excuses or reasons can you come up with to avoid doing what God wants?? We all have done it. We give Jesus 90 percent but not the 100. We sort of give it our all but there is always some excuse. In this case Jesus was saying... no excuses. If I tell you to follow me it’s not a question. You just follow.

The third would be follower says to Jesus “I will follow thee BUT I need to say goodbye to everyone at my house. Once again Jesus replies sharply. He says that “No man putting his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Well, this was my favorite interaction of Jesus with the three followers. First, the would be follower offers to follow Jesus. He basically volunteered but, he wanted to follow Jesus when he was ready. I totally understood that. I’ve done it myself. There have been times when I wanted my faith to work on my terms. I wanted my faith to be on standby. Well... Jesus felt differently back then and I’m sure he feels differently now. His response was clear. If you want to follow me you are going to work. You are going to drop all the excuses and follow my lead. Don’t look backwards. We are going forward together but NOW. Not when its convenient for you.

I have been all three of the followers at some point in my life. Maybe you have too... I know that my faith isn’t perfect. I really don’t think it’s supposed to be perfect. I do know that Gods Grace is perfect. I trust that The Grace of God is there when we are being a would be followers. Today I ask... when you feel the urge to follow ... what will you do??

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

God's Multiplication


This week’s Gospel reading is the well-known story of the loaves and the fishes.  Jesus directs the Apostles to feed 5,000 men by handing out five loaves of bread and two fishes.  Seems absurd, but it works.

What’s the point of the story?  The point is that sometimes in giving to another person, what you give is worth far more in the recipient’s hands than it was in yours.

Here’s a true story.  I was in Manhattan one day and I see this woman standing on the sidewalk with her hands up in the air, praying.  She was not praying in English, so I don’t know what she was saying.  But she was looking to the sky, and was clearly asking God for something.  She had a sign on the floor asking for money.

So, I took a $5 bill out of my pocket and placed it in her hand.  (Her hand already contained other donations.)  I walked away.  She didn’t even acknowledge my presence, and that was totally fine.  Better probably. 

As I walked away, I looked back at her.  I remember thinking that the money had very truly multiplied in that moment when it left my hand and entered hers.  Why?  Because it was far less money to me than it was to her.  The money had truly become more valuable.  Ask an Economist and they might agree.  The bread (pun intended) had multiplied in the giving.

So, what’s the point? The point is that we should give because God will multiply our gift.  It doesn’t have to be money.  It can be money, if you have some extra, but it doesn’t have to be.  My family has causes that we give to, St. Jude’s, a Christian radio station, a child in need in a Third World country.  And that’s all great.  But most times, to be honest, I don’t have extra money.  (At least I don't think I do.  Amazing how I always find 8 bucks for a Big Mac meal, right?)

But you can give in other ways.  One of the best ways is a kind word or gesture.  Think of it.  Absolutely free to give, but sometimes priceless to receive.  God's multiplication factor is almost infinite.  And your kind word or gesture may be the only good thing someone receives on any given day.  And who knows what impact that might have?

- The Older Brother       

Thursday, June 13, 2019

He will not speak on his own....


When I was invited to join this band of brothers and asked to consider sharing my reflections on the weekly Gospel readings, I had mixed emotions. I was not really sure that what I had to offer was of much value to others or if it was, that anyone might actually take the time to read it. On the other hand, I do have a great love for Scripture and I thought maybe this was the Lord's way of inviting me to continue this journey of mine. So it was with confidence in the Lord's presence and guidance that I stepped out of my comfort zone and accepted the challenge. My brothers, The Pilgrim, Anonymous, The Older Brother, Bernard of Clairvaux and I began (and continue) this effort in prayer; prayer for each other, prayer for the Universal Church, and prayer for you, the person reading this blog right now. One of the things that we are praying about currently, is "what's next?" - How do we all come together and share fellowship?  What strikes me as important about all of this, is that our God is a god of Relationship and this is naturally expressed in the everyday life of the Church.

Throughout Scripture God reveals himself to us in terms of relationship. In Exodus he tells us that He is our God and we are His people. Jesus tells us that with God as our Father, we are His children. Jesus doesn't call Him "Father" but "Abba" the Aramaic word for "Daddy" - further characterizing the nature of the relationship. God reveals Himself as the Bridegroom; and we are the Bride. The Lover; and we are the beloved. He is the Vine; we are the branches. As branches, we are to bear the "fruit of the vine." This relationship defines us. We are parts of one body; the Body of Christ.


This week's Gospel reading causes me to think of the relationship between God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit  - and each member of the Church; Jesus said that everything that the Father has is His and that the Spirit will take from what is His and declare it to us. Jesus tells us that He will send the Spirit to guide us to all truth. I wonder at the mystery of who are we that God should care so much to guide us to all truth; and I take comfort in this awesome God of ours that loves us so much that He chooses to be in such intimate relationship with us.

Peace,
              + Theophilus

Wednesday, June 5, 2019


Hanging in There on Pentecost Sunday

JN 21: 19-23
This week’s Gospel reflection relates to the birth of our church and its current status.  Have you ever witnessed or heard of a miracle occurring? During my long life, I’ve encountered both the inexplicable & miraculous.  I am writing to you from the locked, upper room, praying & sitting among a group of frightened disciples of Christ.  Try to image yourself in this room with us.  Can you feel the apprehension & uncertainty?  You might overhear someone ask, “How do we escape from the mobs who are hunting us down?” Another’s voice steeped in disappointment echo’s a similar sense of urgency.  Perhaps some are even having second thoughts about following Jesus because of the predicament they are facing? It appears they are in a need of a miracle.

Suddenly Jesus miraculously appears and dismisses their fear.  As the Lord greets them with a peace offering, their distress is transformed into ecstasy.  After eating, Jesus empowers them with the Holy Spirit; reassuring them that they will never be alone again.  Vested in the Spirit, the apostles courageously begin their respective journeys to preach the Truth to the entire world.   This was “the birth of our church.”

Fast forward to 2019 and we see that our church has gone through many challenges since that first Pentecost Sunday. Again, our church is under siege and the attackers are from within.  It is wounded and in need of an intervention.  Some of those we trusted most with our children, families & faith have strayed far from the Truth & vandalized many of the faithful. Thank God, they are a minority, compared to the majority who have sustained their vows and follow in the footsteps of Christ.  The loyal ones, both ordained and lay alike, are the staunch defenders of the Church.  The deranged and deceitful actions of those who have gambled with their souls because of sexual perversion and an insatiable desire to control others have made their choices. The scandal has infiltrated the highest levels of authority in our church. Did you notice that I am calling the church “our church?”  I say this because it is truly ours and no longer theirs. 
  
The Pilgrim believes that life is much about choices.  These “vandals of the faith” have caused immeasurable suffering.  After some discernment & prayer, I came to the decision to hang in there.  I refuse to allow these disordered and disturbed clerics (and those who conspired to hide their criminal acts) to abandon something I've invested my life & soul into.  My decision was not to leave my church because of a spiritual investment & promise I made many years back.  An investment that paid back in more ways than I could have imagined.  I understand that some decided to depart because of this tragedy and are either worshiping in other churches or have chosen to abandon all religious institutions.  I understand their anger and resentment, yet I believe that is the wrong choice. We must now fight for what is ours and has been since that first Pentecost Sunday.  As for me, I've decided to remain behind & rebuild my church.  I choose to stand alongside the Eucharist and with my brethren, deacons and priests (many who I am proud to call my friends in Christ).  The Pilgrim simply asks, “Will you join me in solidarity by praying for our Mother Church?  Will you also hang in there?”  I beg of you, "Please do not allow a few rotten apples to destroy the entire orchard." If that happens, evil continues to triumph.  Hope to see you on the road (and in the pews).  The Pilgrim. (Please click on the link below to hear this beautiful and powerful prayer)Disregard any ad  that may pop up.