Who am I Lord? A Reflection for 10/28/19:

            In the Gospel of Luke today, we hear about Jesus naming the apostles.  He chose twelve from the disciples, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James & John, Philip & Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Simon (Zealot), Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who later betrayed Christ before the crucifixion.  In reading this short Gospel, I began to contemplate as many have I’m sure, why Jesus chose these “blue- collar” carpenters, fisherman, tent makers, etc., and not a more educated, highly respected few. 

            Clearly Christ was putting together a team to go on before Him to spread the Gospel to the multitudes.  One may argue that He should have picked individuals who held a higher position within the public; perhaps a great speaker or legal counsel.   Still better, a land owner or lord within the areas where He intended the Gospel to be spoke.  Regardless of the reasoning, Christ didn’t do this and furthermore, we are all of the understanding that He knew full well the hearts and minds of the individuals which He did pick.  Peter would deny him, Judas would betray him and all of them were born into sin.  Yet, Jesus still chose them.  So, how does this relate to us?

            On more than one occasion, I have felt as though there must be a better person to do what it is that I do.  I have done this with every professional position I have ever held.  I have done this in athletics all the way through college, and I did it in my academic side of life as well.  At times, I struggle with how a broken individual such as I can serve God’s will while being successful in the tasks that He places in my life.  Perhaps, if I can be so brave as to assume, you have done this as well.  If you have not however, then may God continue to bless you with that confidence.  It was in this seemingly constant question, this personal struggle, where reading today’s Gospel that something jumped out that may help to address those concerns.  Just as Jesus chose the twelve from the group of disciples, He chose us from a group of many. 

            Regardless of whatever reason we can come up with as to why we are not worthy of God’s Grace, His mission in our life, the position that He has placed us in, we are exactly where He intended for us to be.  Our job is to continue to serve Him through whatever that platform may be and, as most of us do not have a manual for each curve life will throw at us, we can trust that God’s plan is greater than our anxiety to it.  We must stop asking “Who am I Lord” and begin proclaiming “Here I am Lord.” 

           

Mr. Swann/Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

It’s Time for Harvest! A Reflection for 10/18/19:

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus appointed seventy other disciples and sent them ahead of him in pairs.  These new disciples traveled to every town and place to inform people that Jesus was coming.  He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.  Go on your way!” 

Jesus didn’t paint a pretty picture saying “See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.  Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.”  However, in addition to these instructions Jesus made one thing clear, not going wasn’t an option. 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”  This is so true.  The work we all have been asked to do, spreading the Gospel, has the unending potential to reach so many; in our cities, our schools, our parishes and so on.  This work brings God’s message to those who struggle with employment, hunger, sickness, abandonment yet, more often than not, it is the same small number of people who are trying to accomplish all these things for so many.  Look around at our schools and parishes where volunteers are often asked for to service a multitude of projects yet the same faces are the ones that appear. 

Everything we do is about bringing the Kingdom of goodness to those who have the least and who deserve much better.  It is about being the reflection of Christ through us to others.  Think of the overall number of members within our parish alone and what if, just what if each person did one thing for the Harvest?  Even Jesus Himself only appointed seventy and just look at the multitude that was able to reach.  This life is not meant for us alone, this Christianity…this incredible and everlasting gift from God is not meant for us to hold all to ourselves.  Today’s Gospel reading implores us to get out into the community, to break bread with our neighbors, to bring healing to the sick, and to work for peace, love and compassion for all. 

Do not be foolish as to wait for someone else to work the Lord’s harvest for you. 

Mr. Swann/Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Reflection for 10/9/19:

            As the first three days of this week have come and gone, I cannot help but be reminded of the different ways God speaks to us.  These first few days this week, although productive, have been quite challenging for many members of the OLMC parish and school.  Challenge because of the different areas of our lives which are, and will always remain out of our control; but also because of those areas in our lives that we have control yet fail to do so.  The Gospels so far this week addresses many of our most damaging challenges that can be controlled by our attitudes towards our situation, as well as our attitudes towards others. 

            Yesterday, Saint Paul reminded us that we should never let differences between one another become obstacles to friendship and love.  “If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.  Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died….For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Likewise, in the First Letter of Peter today, “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.  Be hospitable to one another without complaining.  Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” 

            These Gospels remind us two things, that if we are to truly become more Christ-like, we must above all love each other first.  Secondly, that we are not in control.  This second point seems to be what causes us the most difficulty for, although we are fully aware of this fact, we fight against it vigorously as if through our arrogance we will eventually be in control of the world around us.  It is that arrogance, that foolish quest to be in control which damages not only the relationships around us, but our own well-being.  Even in prayer we have expectations that often are not met and only when we realize how foolish we have been in those expectations do we fully turn our journey over to God.  Why is this; why are we so…so stubborn with our brothers and sisters, with our God? 

            I am reminded by a quote from Mark Twain, “Man is the only animal capable of blushing and, perhaps, the only one that needs to.”  If I take anything from this week it will be to slow down, listen to God speak to me in the man different ways He may do so, and to be reminded that each of us has been made unique with gifts to share and that if I pause for just a second, perhaps God is speaking to us…to me through them. 

Mr. Swann/Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel