GOD’S PLAN

Which of your children is your favorite? Your reflex response is probably “none of them.”  What kind of parent would choose one child as their favorite?  Studies have shown that the truth is: many parents.

Years of research support what many have suspected — most parents have a favorite child.  Studies have explored factors from birth order to gender and shared interests. Yet even with years of research that supports this idea, parents are still plagued by guilt and live in denial of having a favorite child.  Even if there is no discernible parental favorite amongst siblings, studies have shown that children often perceive preferential treatment of their sibling by their parents.  Unsurprisingly, family conflicts and feelings of sadness and depression can result from favoritism, whether it's real or perceived.

Scripture makes it clear, “Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons” and this caused his brothers to hate Joseph so much so they would not even greet him, they would plot to kill him or at least settle on selling him into slavery, and lying to their father about his fate.  The pain and tension caused by Joseph’s brothers plan to gain their father’s attention and love created very dark moments for the family.

Just when we think things can’t get any worse, it’s in that moment we often realize God is present, that God’s plan is not our plan.  When we consider the two beloved sons in today’s scripture and the dark path they needed to walk, Joseph the path of slavery and Jesus the way of the cross, yet in God’s plan both sons become conduits of forgiveness, reconciliation, and salvation.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been down some dark paths in my life, eventually coming to the point I had to come to the realization I could no longer live in the denial I am in control of anything.  I had to come to the realization that God has a plan for me.  It is for me to trust in Him, to exercise His gift of faith though I do not know the way, and to obediently offer my own Amen “I believe” as I approach this mystery, where we walk with His only begotten son as he traverses the darkness of sin and death to fulfill God’s plan for the salvation of the world.

Do you feel like you’re at a dark point in your story?  Keep running to God and remember Joseph.  Whatever happens you can be sure God’s plan and love will stand firm forever.  Thus, we all can claim to be his favorite child.

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED

Growing up, I didn’t understand that when most people said “no good deed goes unpunished” they meant the punishment would come directly from the recipient of the good deed.

As a parent, I found myself often telling my children that their good deeds would reap rewards.  That when they act in caring and helpful ways, especially for those most in need, they will feel good about what they’ve done and others will appreciate it, too.  Sadly, we know this is not always the case.  Good deeds can be met with outright hostility, and trying to explain that sad fact to our children is difficult.

Today’s reading from the book of Jeremiah is an illustration of the truth that no good deed goes unpunished.  Jeremiah’s life is threatened, the cruel irony is that he had previously interceded for the very people who now seek his life.  Such is the fate of a prophet torn between divine judgment and care for the people.  So, it is with Jesus’ good deeds.  In his third prediction of his impeding passion, on the way to Jerusalem, he leaves little to the imagination of what is going to occur.

I guess what always gets me is that after this prediction, the mother of the sons of Zebedee makes her request on behalf of her sons.  I have to believe they really don’t get what Jesus is trying to communicate concerning his model of discipleship that is summarized for me in the question, “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" (Mt 20:22) What is our response?

As daily communicants and for those who have made the commitment to include daily Mass a part of your Lenten disciplines.  Ask yourself, “Can you drink the cup that Jesus drank?”  This is the question the late Henri Nouwen asks in this book “Can You Drink the Cup?”  He shares how this question pierced his heart like the sharp spear of a hunter.  How he knew taking this question seriously would radically change our lives.  It is the question that has the power to crack open a hardened heart and lay bare the tendons of the spiritual life.

Can you drink the cup?  Can you empty it to the dregs?  Can you taste all the sorrows and joys?  Can you live your life to the full whatever it will bring?  These are the questions of the Eucharistic Chalice.  Drinking the cup of life involves holding, lifting, and drinking.  It is the full celebration of being human.  Can we hold our life, life our life, and drink it, as Jesus did; knowing the life lived as his disciple that odds are true that no good deed goes unpunished?

LOVE CONQUERS ALL

A Native-American Christian went to a missionary for counsel.  He was very much troubled by the spiritual conflict going on within his heart.  He wanted to do what God wanted him to do, but he was frequently disobeying God.  He found that he was prone to do evil things, even as he did before he became a Christian.

The native described this conflict within himself as a dogfight.  He said to the missionary, "It is as though I have a black dog and a white dog inside me fighting each other constantly."  The black dog, he explained, represented wickedness and the white dog represented virtue.

The missionary asked him, "Which dog wins the fight within you?"

After several moments of silence, the native said, "The dog that wins is the one I feed and the dog that loses is the one I starve."

A person can either feed or starve their sinful nature or the spiritual nature.  As I reflected on the scriptures last night I was overwhelmed with the question, how can I convince a person, who is battling their black dog, who desires freedom but can’t seem to break their sinful human nature?  Then on my way to church this morning God spoke to my heart again.  He said someone who will be in the pews this morning needs to hear this message clearly, “I invite you to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I know you are a good person, I know you desire to feel free and loved, I know the battle raging within you.  Let my priest, who sits as a visible sign of me, hear your heart so that I can free you and shower you with my mercy and love.”

I stand before you understanding, all too well, this internal dogfight.  The battle between the constant bombardment of bodily and worldly desires and our desire for spiritual freedom.  How our sinfulness generates feelings of shame, the fear of being judged unworthy, or the feeling that somehow, we are “less than” because of our inability to sustain a spirit-filled lifestyle that God demands.

Know this, Jesus’ desire for us is that all things, all situations, and all people be reconciled to himself, brought fully into his love.  His heart’s desire is that we also be reconciled to all.  “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother and then come and offer your gift.”

He knows this is much easier said than done. Jesus puts forth that we must first resolve any anger, resentment, or hurt that separates us from another and from our desire to be in His love.  We need to allow love to overpower all else, including ourselves.  Until all is resolved, we are unable and incapable of fully entering into the love, joy, and delight that is Christ.  We need to let love conquer all.

CHOOSING OBEDIENCE

When it comes to the history of birth control in America, very few are aware that contraception was actually illegal in the United States for over 60 years well into the 20th century until 1936.  Some state laws against the prevention of conception existed as late as 1965. Many know about Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood but often forgets that the battle waged in the early 20^th century was over the legalization of contraception. 

Historically society’s embrace and overwhelming acceptance of child prevention as a battle for privacy in marriage waged and the practice of limiting family size took hold. Raising godly children is no longer marriage’s primary purpose as the global acceptance of birth control inevitably led to a tragic breakdown in the values of family life.  To some children are no longer considered a blessing but rather a burden.[1]

The Book of Deuteronomy is portrayed as a series of admonitions Moses presents to the Israelites right before they cross into the promised land. He sets forth very clearly the reality they will be facing: If they are obedient to God’s commandments, they will have prosperity and life. If they choose disobedience, they will experience adversity, which will lead to death. These are the choices Israel is facing. Keep in mind Israel has not had a very credible track record of faithfulness in the past. The choices she makes will determine the future she encounters.

Moses urges the people to choose life, which means loving God by obeying God’s voice. There is no ambiguity in the choices facing the Israelites.  There is no ambiguity in the conditions Jesus sets forth for discipleship which are rooted in His choice of the cross.

Discipleship means taking up the cross daily and following Jesus. Discipleship demands a radical reversal in expectation. Saving one’s life demands losing one’s life but losing one’s life for Jesus’ sake amounts to gaining life.

Lent is our opportunity to revisit our life choices.  When we approach this mystery, proclaim our Amen, our proclamation of "I believe", does it translate or manifest itself into the type of fasting God desires?  “Releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” (Is 58:6-7)

As a human relations adviser one of my bosses advised me, “Be sure our own backyard is clean before you try to fix others.”  As we discern our Lenten action plan of alms giving, prayer, and fasting let us fast in a manner acceptable to God so that “the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” (Is 58:8)

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[1] BIRTHCONTROL: How Did We Get Here? © 2013-2014. http://www.thebirthcontrolmovie.com/the-films/how-did-we-get-here

A LIFESAVING FRIENDSHIP

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle reveals himself as fairly unique among philosophers in the sense that he devotes a lot of time and thought to the question of friendship. Aristotle figured there were three kinds of friendships:

FRIENDSHIPS OF UTILITY: exist between you and someone who is useful to you in some way.  For instance, you're friendly with your cubicle mate mainly because she helps you figure out the printer when it jams.  These friendships are rooted in satisfying a need or want.  But when things go wrong, this friend may “become an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.” (Sir 6:9 NABRE)

FRIENDSHIPS OF PLEASURE: exist between you and those whose company you enjoy.  These are "activity buddies": people whom you do things with like playing golf, going for long bike rides or cow-tipping.  These friendships include the kind of relationships you have with a friendly neighbor in the coffee shop, gym, or tattoo parlor.  Friends with whom you enjoy to chit-chat or share good jokes.  Unfortunately, this type of friend may “not be with you in time of distress.” (Sir 6:8 NABRE) “He turns against you and avoids meeting you.” (Sir 6:12 NABRE)

FRIENDSHIPS OF THE GOOD: are based on mutual respect and admiration. These friendships take longer to build than the other two kinds--but they're also more powerful and enduring. They often arise when two people recognize they have similar values and goals; they have similar visions for how the world or at least their lives should be.[1]  Sirach has words of wisdom about the kind of friendship that enriches any relationship, including marriage.  “A faithful friend, he says, is a sturdy shelter, a treasure beyond price, a lifesaving remedy.” (Sir 6:14-16 NABRE)   

Divorce was allowed by Jewish law.  Jesus shares a loftier ideal for marriage. “From the beginning of creation,” he insisted, “God planned that male and female should become one flesh, what God has joined, no human being must separate.” (Mk 10:6-9 NABRE)

This Friendship of the Good is the kind of friendship we can find in the Paschal Mystery we enter into at every Mass.  Jesus, for the good of His bride the Church, continually offers us forgiveness in his words of encouragement in the sacred scriptures and feeds us with his very self in the Eucharist.  Even when we feel we are in the darkest of places, Jesus’ arms are out stretched to receive us into his loving presence. 

He is a faithful friend that we can lean on as a lifesaving remedy.

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[1] The 3 Kinds of Friendships, by Maura Kelly. May 6, 2010. Blog.