Thursday, August 23, 2007
Weekly MESSAGE for August 26, 2007: Nova Scotia Bound
August 23, 2007
Focus: Nova Scotia Bound
Dear Friend,
Tomorrow I will begin a week’s vacation as a guest of a priest friend whose parish is on a cruise out of Baltimore to Nova Scotia. It will be a time for lots of reading and putting the final touches on my homiletics course which begins the day after Labor Day.
The other “story” is the change of Mass schedule which begins Labor Day Weekend. Ah the challenge of making 4,600 people happy!
Since I’m out of the office next week, there will be no Message, This and That, and homily next Thursday. Below are the “This and That’s” for this weekend and next. I will not be preaching either this weekend or the weekend I return.
The weekly email will resume on Thursday, September 6, 2007.
Best wishes for a happy holiday weekend.
Fondly,
Father Nick
Focus: Nova Scotia Bound
Dear Friend,
Tomorrow I will begin a week’s vacation as a guest of a priest friend whose parish is on a cruise out of Baltimore to Nova Scotia. It will be a time for lots of reading and putting the final touches on my homiletics course which begins the day after Labor Day.
The other “story” is the change of Mass schedule which begins Labor Day Weekend. Ah the challenge of making 4,600 people happy!
Since I’m out of the office next week, there will be no Message, This and That, and homily next Thursday. Below are the “This and That’s” for this weekend and next. I will not be preaching either this weekend or the weekend I return.
The weekly email will resume on Thursday, September 6, 2007.
Best wishes for a happy holiday weekend.
Fondly,
Father Nick
Weekly THIS AND THAT for September 2, 2007: Laus Deo -- A Little History Lesson Worth Noting
This and That for September 2, 2007:
Laus Deo: A Little History Lesson Worth Noting
I ran across a piece I used to share with students. When I searched past bulletin notes, I realized I had not shared it in this column before. With Labor Day a national holiday, this is a history lesson worth noting.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.
With all the uproar about removing any vestige of faith from monuments this is worth a moment or two of your time. It makes for interesting reading.
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: “Laus Deo.” No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the Monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn’t care less.
Once you know the history of these words, Laus Deo, you will want to share this with everyone you know.
The words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our Nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, Capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is one of the greatest cities in the world.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say “Praise be to God!”
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty- five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo, “Praise be to God!”
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the City with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l‘Enfant, a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of Church and State? Yes, a cross; separation of Church and State is not in the Constitution.
“Praise be to God.” Within the Monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. “Praise be to God!”
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy.
The following is George Washington’s prayer for America.
“Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our Nation’s Capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of “Laus Deo,” its location, or the architects, but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words of the Psalmist: “Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
Laus Deo: A Little History Lesson Worth Noting
I ran across a piece I used to share with students. When I searched past bulletin notes, I realized I had not shared it in this column before. With Labor Day a national holiday, this is a history lesson worth noting.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.
With all the uproar about removing any vestige of faith from monuments this is worth a moment or two of your time. It makes for interesting reading.
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: “Laus Deo.” No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the Monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn’t care less.
Once you know the history of these words, Laus Deo, you will want to share this with everyone you know.
The words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our Nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, Capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is one of the greatest cities in the world.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say “Praise be to God!”
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty- five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo, “Praise be to God!”
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the City with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l‘Enfant, a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of Church and State? Yes, a cross; separation of Church and State is not in the Constitution.
“Praise be to God.” Within the Monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. “Praise be to God!”
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy.
The following is George Washington’s prayer for America.
“Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our Nation’s Capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of “Laus Deo,” its location, or the architects, but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words of the Psalmist: “Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
Weekly THIS AND THAT for August 26, 2007: How Do You Decide Whom to Marry?
This and That for August 26, 2007:
How Do You Decide Whom to Marry?
With the summer flurry of fall wedding preparations and meeting with brides and grooms, the following advice from children on how to decide on that one special person came to mind. The good Lord knows, some of this wisdom when we were their ages would have helped us out as well.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
What is the right age to get married?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person forever by then.
-- Camille, age 10
No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
-- Freddie, age 6
How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
You might have to guess, but you can usually tell on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
What do you think your mom and dad have in common?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
What do most people do on a date?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that Usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?
I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9
When is it okay to kiss someone?
That’s easy. When they’re rich.
-- Pam, age 7
The kissing law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7
The rule for kissing goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8
Is it better to be single or married?
It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9
How would the world be different if people didn’t get married?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?
-- Kelvin, age 8
How would you make a marriage work?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10
How Do You Decide Whom to Marry?
With the summer flurry of fall wedding preparations and meeting with brides and grooms, the following advice from children on how to decide on that one special person came to mind. The good Lord knows, some of this wisdom when we were their ages would have helped us out as well.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
What is the right age to get married?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person forever by then.
-- Camille, age 10
No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
-- Freddie, age 6
How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
You might have to guess, but you can usually tell on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
What do you think your mom and dad have in common?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
What do most people do on a date?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that Usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?
I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9
When is it okay to kiss someone?
That’s easy. When they’re rich.
-- Pam, age 7
The kissing law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7
The rule for kissing goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8
Is it better to be single or married?
It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9
How would the world be different if people didn’t get married?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?
-- Kelvin, age 8
How would you make a marriage work?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Weekly MESSAGE for August 19, 2007: Teaching Homiletics
August 19, 2007
Focus: Teaching Homiletics
Dear Friend,
It is the final week of preparation for the Homiletics Course that I will be teaching 3rd year theologians at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park, Baltimore beginning September. I was offered the position last spring by the Rector, Bob Leavitt, because they wanted more of a practitioner than a theoretician teaching the soon-to-be priests. Needless to say I was flattered.
As I was analyzing what went into the preparation of a Sunday homily, I was also reading source books of noted homiletics professors. What I have came to realize is that what they were suggesting where ideas I had come to by a hit-and-miss method over my almost 40 years of preaching. Talk about someone putting words to your feelings and intuitions!
Just to let you know, the homily for me begins in personal reflection on the sacred text the Sunday before, then moves into exegesis or study of the text, then into seeing what other preachers have done by way of commentary. This phase ends with the clarification of a “focus” statement. Once I know my focus, I can then state what the “function” of the homily will be, that is, what I hope to have happen in the heart of the hearer. With these three steps, I then begin to outline, which is called the form. So there you have it: focus, function, and form.
Tomorrow we have an all-day faculty in-service at the Seminary. This will be a new experience in my own life as a preacher/teacher. I have enjoyed working with seminarians over the years. Now I get to do it more intensely as their teacher two classes a week.
Enjoy these closing weeks of summer.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Focus: Teaching Homiletics
Dear Friend,
It is the final week of preparation for the Homiletics Course that I will be teaching 3rd year theologians at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park, Baltimore beginning September. I was offered the position last spring by the Rector, Bob Leavitt, because they wanted more of a practitioner than a theoretician teaching the soon-to-be priests. Needless to say I was flattered.
As I was analyzing what went into the preparation of a Sunday homily, I was also reading source books of noted homiletics professors. What I have came to realize is that what they were suggesting where ideas I had come to by a hit-and-miss method over my almost 40 years of preaching. Talk about someone putting words to your feelings and intuitions!
Just to let you know, the homily for me begins in personal reflection on the sacred text the Sunday before, then moves into exegesis or study of the text, then into seeing what other preachers have done by way of commentary. This phase ends with the clarification of a “focus” statement. Once I know my focus, I can then state what the “function” of the homily will be, that is, what I hope to have happen in the heart of the hearer. With these three steps, I then begin to outline, which is called the form. So there you have it: focus, function, and form.
Tomorrow we have an all-day faculty in-service at the Seminary. This will be a new experience in my own life as a preacher/teacher. I have enjoyed working with seminarians over the years. Now I get to do it more intensely as their teacher two classes a week.
Enjoy these closing weeks of summer.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Weekly THIS AND THAT for August 19, 2007: Do You Need Washing?
This and That:
Do You Need Washing?
Summer thunderstorms can take you be surprise. See how surprised this shopper got from a lesson learned at Targets during a summer storm.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the tops of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in “Mom let’s run through the rain,” she said.
“What?” Mom asked.
“Lets run through the rain!” She repeated.
“No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,” Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: “Mom, let’s run through the rain.”
“We’ll get soaked if we do,” Mom said.
“No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom’s arm.
“This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”
“Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!”
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. You couldn’t hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
“Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If God let’s us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,” Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions; they can take away your money and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
Take the time to run through the rain soon and do it with wild abandon.
Do You Need Washing?
Summer thunderstorms can take you be surprise. See how surprised this shopper got from a lesson learned at Targets during a summer storm.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the tops of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in “Mom let’s run through the rain,” she said.
“What?” Mom asked.
“Lets run through the rain!” She repeated.
“No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,” Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: “Mom, let’s run through the rain.”
“We’ll get soaked if we do,” Mom said.
“No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom’s arm.
“This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”
“Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!”
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. You couldn’t hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
“Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If God let’s us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,” Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions; they can take away your money and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
Take the time to run through the rain soon and do it with wild abandon.
Weekly HOMILY for August 19, 2007: Fire, Baptism, and Division
20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
August 19, 2007
Focus: Jesus brings division
Function: To have the hearer reassert his/her identity as a Catholic
Fire, Baptism, and Division
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Youth and the Gospel
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a number of our youth.
These are high school age teenagers and they are attending a variety of schools, both public and Catholic. One of my learnings from these conversations is the challenge our youth are facing today.
They have the opportunity to experiment with drugs – with smoking pot and trying other more dangerous selections. They have the opportunity to drink beer and other alcoholic beverages. And they have the temptation to engage in sexual activity.
It is also clear to me that so many of our youth are very good persons. They have a good sense of right and wrong. They do have a conscience.
And, I might quickly add, I believe that their religious formation is crucial, absolutely crucial, in forming their conscience, which will shape them as persons.
But even with a well-formed conscience and strong moral fiber, it can still be very difficult and challenging for them to make good choices when the “group think” or “cool thing” is constantly before their eyes.
Fire, Baptism and Division
This, my friends, is precisely what today’s Gospel addresses.
Jesus speaks of three things: fire, baptism and division.
Fire is a Scriptural image for judgment or decision.
Jesus is saying that he and the values he stands for lead us to having to make decisions everyday. In our daily lives we repeatedly must decide to do what it right or wrong, to make a choice for him or against him.
Then Jesus talks about a baptism. Here he is not talking about being baptized with water.
Rather, the word refers to being immersed in something, and Jesus is talking about being immersed in suffering. The idea is that our choices will not always be easy, and our choices will sometimes entail a degree of discomfort and suffering.
And finally, Jesus talks in the Gospel about division. The point he is making is that sometimes our choices will separate us from others we are close to.
Jesus heightens the tension by talking about division in our families and that may happen, but more than likely it will a division from our peers or from society in general.
So, “fire or decision,” “baptism or suffering,” and “division or separation” – Jesus tells us that following him, espousing his values, may well challenge us in these ways.
The Church and the Gospel
We can see this getting played out for our youth as I mentioned when I began, and we can also see this on the level of our Church and our society.
Our Church, the Catholic Church, teaches a consistent ethic of life – a consistent ethic of life.
We believe that human life is a gift from God. It is sacred and we are to treat it as such. We are not to injure or destroy human life.
Thus, true to its “consistent ethic” the Church teaches against embryonic stem cell research. Other stem cell research of course is fine and should be supported.
It holds hope for dealing with some terrible afflictions, like spinal cord injuries or Parkinson’s disease. But, the Church says, embryonic stem cell research involves the killing of a living embryo and that is simply wrong.
The embryo is the beginning of human life and we cannot take this life. The end – medical breakthroughs – does not justify the means – the taking of human life.
Today, our Church teaches against the death penalty. The position is that we do not teach respect for human life by taking the life even of a person who has committed a serious crime.
There are other ways of protecting society and the common good. Even here, a consistent ethic of life.
And, over the centuries, our Church has developed a careful position on war and what justifies war. The Church knows that warfare always involves the taking of life and so we have to be careful when and how to engage in war.
On this basis, Pope John Paul urged our country not to go to war in Iraq. Again, the consistent ethic of life at work once again.
Conclusion
So, fire: decisions, choices that our youth, that we as adults or that we as a society have to make about following the way of the Lord.
Baptism: immersion in a bath of suffering that can follow from our choices; and division: standing apart, distance, separation from those around us because of these choices.
That is the kind of in-your-face, challenging message that the Lord Jesus gives us today.
Our Lady of Grace
August 19, 2007
Focus: Jesus brings division
Function: To have the hearer reassert his/her identity as a Catholic
Fire, Baptism, and Division
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Youth and the Gospel
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a number of our youth.
These are high school age teenagers and they are attending a variety of schools, both public and Catholic. One of my learnings from these conversations is the challenge our youth are facing today.
They have the opportunity to experiment with drugs – with smoking pot and trying other more dangerous selections. They have the opportunity to drink beer and other alcoholic beverages. And they have the temptation to engage in sexual activity.
It is also clear to me that so many of our youth are very good persons. They have a good sense of right and wrong. They do have a conscience.
And, I might quickly add, I believe that their religious formation is crucial, absolutely crucial, in forming their conscience, which will shape them as persons.
But even with a well-formed conscience and strong moral fiber, it can still be very difficult and challenging for them to make good choices when the “group think” or “cool thing” is constantly before their eyes.
Fire, Baptism and Division
This, my friends, is precisely what today’s Gospel addresses.
Jesus speaks of three things: fire, baptism and division.
Fire is a Scriptural image for judgment or decision.
Jesus is saying that he and the values he stands for lead us to having to make decisions everyday. In our daily lives we repeatedly must decide to do what it right or wrong, to make a choice for him or against him.
Then Jesus talks about a baptism. Here he is not talking about being baptized with water.
Rather, the word refers to being immersed in something, and Jesus is talking about being immersed in suffering. The idea is that our choices will not always be easy, and our choices will sometimes entail a degree of discomfort and suffering.
And finally, Jesus talks in the Gospel about division. The point he is making is that sometimes our choices will separate us from others we are close to.
Jesus heightens the tension by talking about division in our families and that may happen, but more than likely it will a division from our peers or from society in general.
So, “fire or decision,” “baptism or suffering,” and “division or separation” – Jesus tells us that following him, espousing his values, may well challenge us in these ways.
The Church and the Gospel
We can see this getting played out for our youth as I mentioned when I began, and we can also see this on the level of our Church and our society.
Our Church, the Catholic Church, teaches a consistent ethic of life – a consistent ethic of life.
We believe that human life is a gift from God. It is sacred and we are to treat it as such. We are not to injure or destroy human life.
Thus, true to its “consistent ethic” the Church teaches against embryonic stem cell research. Other stem cell research of course is fine and should be supported.
It holds hope for dealing with some terrible afflictions, like spinal cord injuries or Parkinson’s disease. But, the Church says, embryonic stem cell research involves the killing of a living embryo and that is simply wrong.
The embryo is the beginning of human life and we cannot take this life. The end – medical breakthroughs – does not justify the means – the taking of human life.
Today, our Church teaches against the death penalty. The position is that we do not teach respect for human life by taking the life even of a person who has committed a serious crime.
There are other ways of protecting society and the common good. Even here, a consistent ethic of life.
And, over the centuries, our Church has developed a careful position on war and what justifies war. The Church knows that warfare always involves the taking of life and so we have to be careful when and how to engage in war.
On this basis, Pope John Paul urged our country not to go to war in Iraq. Again, the consistent ethic of life at work once again.
Conclusion
So, fire: decisions, choices that our youth, that we as adults or that we as a society have to make about following the way of the Lord.
Baptism: immersion in a bath of suffering that can follow from our choices; and division: standing apart, distance, separation from those around us because of these choices.
That is the kind of in-your-face, challenging message that the Lord Jesus gives us today.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Weekly MESSAGE for August 12, 2007: God Said No!
August 9, 2007
Focus: God said no!
Dear Friend,
A parishioner sent me the following.
I must admit I have never heard God say, “No!”
I hope you are enjoying these final weeks of summer.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
God Said NO!
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole; his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
God said, “Ah, finally you have the idea!”
Focus: God said no!
Dear Friend,
A parishioner sent me the following.
I must admit I have never heard God say, “No!”
I hope you are enjoying these final weeks of summer.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
God Said NO!
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole; his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
God said, “Ah, finally you have the idea!”
Weekly THIS AND THAT for August 12, 2007: The Church in America
This and That:
“The Church in America”
Dear friends,
I read the following from a book entitled: “The Future of the American Church.” When I searched its author I came up with several individuals who had authored a book by the same title. So, while I cannot give you the correct author, I do believe the following thoughts have something to say to us as Roman Catholics.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
The overriding gift of the Catholic Church in America is that it is honestly in search of authentic spiritual authority. That may seem rather strange for a people who want to consider themselves freethinking, self-determined and highly democratic people. And yet that is probably the very reason we are on such a desperate search. Our very individualism has given us a profound need for Someone else to trust. Our self-centered lifestyles drive us back to a center which is in fact the Center. Our freedom from earthly rulers leaves us free to desire a worthy Lordship.
Maybe we say it differently than the past tradition would have, but we would not fuss and bother with all of the symbols of spiritual or temporal office if we did not deeply desire a true spiritual authority that could truly unite us around common values, virtues and common good. Obviously and rightly it is a longing for God. Our fierce independence and healthy mistrust of authority for its own sake put our American Church into a position to help the universal Church uncover and trust real spiritual authority. That authority is based in inherent truth and radical gospel – instead of limited appeals to right, power philosophy and parental put-downs like, “Because I said so, that’s why!”
The spiritual authority that the Church in America seeks is pragmatic authority that achieves its purpose. We cannot trust authority that claims to speak for God, but does not achieve spiritual ends: Does it heal, forgive, reconcile, mend, restore, renew, enliven, awaken, integrate and validate the deepest human intuitions? Does it renew marriage relationships? Does it reconcile countries? Does it fill people with real hope and tangible joy? Is it an authority that is capable of self-criticism and seeking Kingdom values beyond self-congratulation and self-preservation?
As Jesus clearly taught us, we could distinguish the true and false prophets by one simple criterion: their fruits. The American Catholic is too independent, honest and commonsense to bow before ascribed and acquired authority when it is not also real authority.
And what is real authority? Leadership and membership both owe one another holiness. That is the full authority of the Body of Christ.
“The Church in America”
Dear friends,
I read the following from a book entitled: “The Future of the American Church.” When I searched its author I came up with several individuals who had authored a book by the same title. So, while I cannot give you the correct author, I do believe the following thoughts have something to say to us as Roman Catholics.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
The overriding gift of the Catholic Church in America is that it is honestly in search of authentic spiritual authority. That may seem rather strange for a people who want to consider themselves freethinking, self-determined and highly democratic people. And yet that is probably the very reason we are on such a desperate search. Our very individualism has given us a profound need for Someone else to trust. Our self-centered lifestyles drive us back to a center which is in fact the Center. Our freedom from earthly rulers leaves us free to desire a worthy Lordship.
Maybe we say it differently than the past tradition would have, but we would not fuss and bother with all of the symbols of spiritual or temporal office if we did not deeply desire a true spiritual authority that could truly unite us around common values, virtues and common good. Obviously and rightly it is a longing for God. Our fierce independence and healthy mistrust of authority for its own sake put our American Church into a position to help the universal Church uncover and trust real spiritual authority. That authority is based in inherent truth and radical gospel – instead of limited appeals to right, power philosophy and parental put-downs like, “Because I said so, that’s why!”
The spiritual authority that the Church in America seeks is pragmatic authority that achieves its purpose. We cannot trust authority that claims to speak for God, but does not achieve spiritual ends: Does it heal, forgive, reconcile, mend, restore, renew, enliven, awaken, integrate and validate the deepest human intuitions? Does it renew marriage relationships? Does it reconcile countries? Does it fill people with real hope and tangible joy? Is it an authority that is capable of self-criticism and seeking Kingdom values beyond self-congratulation and self-preservation?
As Jesus clearly taught us, we could distinguish the true and false prophets by one simple criterion: their fruits. The American Catholic is too independent, honest and commonsense to bow before ascribed and acquired authority when it is not also real authority.
And what is real authority? Leadership and membership both owe one another holiness. That is the full authority of the Body of Christ.
Weekly HOMILY for August 12, 2007: Faith -- Assurance and Conviction
19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
August 12, 2007
Faith: Assurance and Conviction
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Trust Not Clarity
Back in the early 1990’s, a priest named John Kavanaugh went to Calcutta to spend a month working at Mother Teresa’s “House of the Dying.”
Father Kavanaugh was seeking a clear answer to his future and whether to remain a priest. On his first morning there, he met Mother Teresa.
She asked, “What can I do for you?” He asked her to pray for him.
Mother Teresa asked, “What do you want me to pray for?” Father Kavanaugh responded, “Pray that I have clarity.”
Mother Teresa responded, “No!” When Kavanaugh asked why, she said that clarity was the last thing he was holding on to, and he needed to let go of it.
Father Kavanaugh responded that she always seemed to have clarity. Mother Teresa laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I’ve always had is trust.
“So I will pray that you trust.”
Faith as Trust
That experience significantly changed John Kavanaugh’s life.
Mother Teresa’s emphasis on trust is at the very core of our faith and we hear this in today’s second reading. The inspired writer gives us a wonderful description, almost a definition of faith.
The writer says, “Faith is confidant assurance [hands on chest in gesture of calmness] about what we hope for [point out to assembly], and conviction [2 fists moved downward] about things we do not see [cover eyes].”
You will notice that there are two dimensions to faith expressed here.
First, faith is trusting assurance [hands on chest in gesture of calmness] about what is not present, but awaited or hoped for [point out to assembly]. And second, faith is trusting conviction [2 fists moved downward] about what is present, but not seen [cover eyes].”
Let’s take a look at both of these.
1. Assurance: Not Present, but Awaited
First, faith is trusting assurance about what is not present, but hoped for.
The Letter to the Hebrews gives us Abraham as a wonderful model of this. Abraham and Sarah had lives as Bedouin nomads probably in what is now Iraq, but at God’s calling, they set out on a journey to an unknown land.
They were advanced in years, but they awaited the fulfillment of God’s promise of a child. Note, they had a trusting assurance in what was not present, but hoped for.
In our lives, we need – and can have – this same kind of faith.
At the very beginning, a child must leave the safety of the womb to be born into an unknown world. At the very end, we must let go of this life and move into a new life with God.
And in between birth and death, we must leave home and board a bus for the first day of school or the first day of college, or we must go from one job to another, or we must leave behind one habit or one mindset and adopt another.
We are constantly called to have this kind of faith, this trusting assurance in what is not present, but hoped for.
2. Conviction: Present, but Not Seen
Secondly, faith is also a conviction about what is present, but not seen.
Faith is a conviction that:
➢ That there is a Creator from whom we come and in whom we live and move and have our being.
➢ That God is a Father who cares and that we always have a home to go to.
➢ That God became human and that the chasm between God and us has been spanned. It is a conviction that because the Son of God suffered and died, nothing can now overwhelm us.
➢ That because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, life is not futile. It is a conviction that everything we do has meaning and value.
➢ Faith is a conviction that the Holy Spirit is present to us in the Church, in the Sacraments, in the Communion of Saints and in the forgiveness of sins.
➢ It is a conviction that all of us are members of God’s family and are to support one another in our journey.
It can be summed in the fact that Faith is this conviction in what is present, but not seen.
Conclusion
Mother Teresa got it right when she said that, “Faith is not so much clarity, as it is trust.”
Yes, it is a trusting assurance about what is not present, but hoped for…
and a trusting conviction about what is present, but not seen.
With that understanding, we proclaim our Profession of Faith with a whole new awareness.
We believe in God, the Father Almighty …
Our Lady of Grace
August 12, 2007
Faith: Assurance and Conviction
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Trust Not Clarity
Back in the early 1990’s, a priest named John Kavanaugh went to Calcutta to spend a month working at Mother Teresa’s “House of the Dying.”
Father Kavanaugh was seeking a clear answer to his future and whether to remain a priest. On his first morning there, he met Mother Teresa.
She asked, “What can I do for you?” He asked her to pray for him.
Mother Teresa asked, “What do you want me to pray for?” Father Kavanaugh responded, “Pray that I have clarity.”
Mother Teresa responded, “No!” When Kavanaugh asked why, she said that clarity was the last thing he was holding on to, and he needed to let go of it.
Father Kavanaugh responded that she always seemed to have clarity. Mother Teresa laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I’ve always had is trust.
“So I will pray that you trust.”
Faith as Trust
That experience significantly changed John Kavanaugh’s life.
Mother Teresa’s emphasis on trust is at the very core of our faith and we hear this in today’s second reading. The inspired writer gives us a wonderful description, almost a definition of faith.
The writer says, “Faith is confidant assurance [hands on chest in gesture of calmness] about what we hope for [point out to assembly], and conviction [2 fists moved downward] about things we do not see [cover eyes].”
You will notice that there are two dimensions to faith expressed here.
First, faith is trusting assurance [hands on chest in gesture of calmness] about what is not present, but awaited or hoped for [point out to assembly]. And second, faith is trusting conviction [2 fists moved downward] about what is present, but not seen [cover eyes].”
Let’s take a look at both of these.
1. Assurance: Not Present, but Awaited
First, faith is trusting assurance about what is not present, but hoped for.
The Letter to the Hebrews gives us Abraham as a wonderful model of this. Abraham and Sarah had lives as Bedouin nomads probably in what is now Iraq, but at God’s calling, they set out on a journey to an unknown land.
They were advanced in years, but they awaited the fulfillment of God’s promise of a child. Note, they had a trusting assurance in what was not present, but hoped for.
In our lives, we need – and can have – this same kind of faith.
At the very beginning, a child must leave the safety of the womb to be born into an unknown world. At the very end, we must let go of this life and move into a new life with God.
And in between birth and death, we must leave home and board a bus for the first day of school or the first day of college, or we must go from one job to another, or we must leave behind one habit or one mindset and adopt another.
We are constantly called to have this kind of faith, this trusting assurance in what is not present, but hoped for.
2. Conviction: Present, but Not Seen
Secondly, faith is also a conviction about what is present, but not seen.
Faith is a conviction that:
➢ That there is a Creator from whom we come and in whom we live and move and have our being.
➢ That God is a Father who cares and that we always have a home to go to.
➢ That God became human and that the chasm between God and us has been spanned. It is a conviction that because the Son of God suffered and died, nothing can now overwhelm us.
➢ That because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, life is not futile. It is a conviction that everything we do has meaning and value.
➢ Faith is a conviction that the Holy Spirit is present to us in the Church, in the Sacraments, in the Communion of Saints and in the forgiveness of sins.
➢ It is a conviction that all of us are members of God’s family and are to support one another in our journey.
It can be summed in the fact that Faith is this conviction in what is present, but not seen.
Conclusion
Mother Teresa got it right when she said that, “Faith is not so much clarity, as it is trust.”
Yes, it is a trusting assurance about what is not present, but hoped for…
and a trusting conviction about what is present, but not seen.
With that understanding, we proclaim our Profession of Faith with a whole new awareness.
We believe in God, the Father Almighty …
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Weekly MESSAGE for August 5, 2007: To Live or to Die?
August 2, 2007
Focus: To live or to die?
Dear Friend,
I am in the midst of experiencing a dear friend watching his beloved wife die. They have a marvelous marriage with two young beautiful children and as spouses they truly are “two hearts that beat as one.” While they are one, they also have maintained their separate and distinct identities.
Let’s call him Barry and her Maggie and say that Barry’s struggle is to hope against hope, as he has done for several years, to never give up as the cancer in Maggie’s body grows ever more invasive. Maggie for her part has “fought the good fight; run the race” and wants to be at peace.
“To stay” or “to go,” what a difficult decision to make! Let us pray for all individuals who are faced with life and death issues; let us pray also for ourselves, for their families and their caregivers.
“Hail Mary…pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Focus: To live or to die?
Dear Friend,
I am in the midst of experiencing a dear friend watching his beloved wife die. They have a marvelous marriage with two young beautiful children and as spouses they truly are “two hearts that beat as one.” While they are one, they also have maintained their separate and distinct identities.
Let’s call him Barry and her Maggie and say that Barry’s struggle is to hope against hope, as he has done for several years, to never give up as the cancer in Maggie’s body grows ever more invasive. Maggie for her part has “fought the good fight; run the race” and wants to be at peace.
“To stay” or “to go,” what a difficult decision to make! Let us pray for all individuals who are faced with life and death issues; let us pray also for ourselves, for their families and their caregivers.
“Hail Mary…pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Weekly THIS AND THAT for August 5, 2007: 7 Reasons Not to Mess with Children
This and That:
7 Reasons Not to Mess with Children
Reason #1:
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.” The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?” The little girl replied, “Then you ask him “.
Reason #2:
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”
Reason #3:
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor” thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, “Thou shall not kill.”
Reason #4:
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?” Her mother replied, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?”
Reason #5:
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. “Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, ‘There’s Jennifer, she’s a lawyer,’ or ‘That’s Michael, He’s a doctor.’ A small voice at the back of the room rang out, “And there’s the teacher, she’s dead.”
Reason #6:
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, “Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.” “Yes,” the class said. “Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn’t run into my feet?” A little fellow shouted, “Cause your feet ain’ t empty.”
Reason #7:
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching.” Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
7 Reasons Not to Mess with Children
Reason #1:
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.” The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?” The little girl replied, “Then you ask him “.
Reason #2:
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”
Reason #3:
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor” thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, “Thou shall not kill.”
Reason #4:
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?” Her mother replied, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?”
Reason #5:
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. “Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, ‘There’s Jennifer, she’s a lawyer,’ or ‘That’s Michael, He’s a doctor.’ A small voice at the back of the room rang out, “And there’s the teacher, she’s dead.”
Reason #6:
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, “Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.” “Yes,” the class said. “Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn’t run into my feet?” A little fellow shouted, “Cause your feet ain’ t empty.”
Reason #7:
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching.” Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Weekly HOMILY for August 5,2007: Sayings on Money and Material Possessions
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
August 5, 2007
Sayings on Money and Material Possessions
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Some Sayings
This past week, I came across a number of sayings dealing with our attitudes toward money and material possessions.
These sayings relate to the Scripture passages that we just heard, so I decided to group my thoughts for today around these sayings.
Taken together, they convey a lot of insight and wisdom. There are two sayings of our culture and two sayings of our faith.
As I share them see which of the four you have personally made your own.
Saying of Culture: I Am What I Have
The first saying of our culture is: “I am what I have.” The significant thing here is the word “I.”
“I am what I have.” We see this emphasis on the word “I” in the Parable of the Rich Man in today’s Gospel.
The rich man says: “What shall I do? I have no place to store my harvest. I know. I will pull down my grain bins and have larger ones. Then I will say to myself: you have blessings in reserve. Enjoy yourself.”
The entire focus in this saying – “I am what I have” – and in the Parable of the Rich Man is on the word “I”.
If this is a saying we resonate with or which we have made our own then we need to be aware that being self-absorbed in things – any things – does not make us who we are as persons.
I simply am not my car, my job, my spouse.
Saying of Culture: More Is Better
A second saying of our culture is: “More is better.”
Our consumerist economy leads us to think that more money, more clothes, more furniture, more toys, or a bigger house is better.
This mentality has contributed to the fact that we will never have enough storage space as we build and use more and more storage facilities everywhere. This saying deceives us into thinking that things can satisfy us.
“More is better” gives us no norm for deciding what we should and should not have other, than having more.
If this saying rings true for us, we need to be aware of it and recognize that whatever latest new thing we have amassed does not give us lasting satisfaction.
Saying of Faith: Hearse Pulling a U-Hall
In contrast to these sayings of our culture, there are also two sayings of our faith. Try these on for size, as well.
The first is humorously stated as: “Have you ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul?” Think about it…of course you haven’t, the dead can’t take anything with them.
Now of course, that saying is not in the Bible, but in truth, it is another way of making the same point that Jesus does in today’s Parable of the Rich Man. He asks: “To whom will all this piled-up wealth of yours go?”
Being so focused on what we have keeps us from being aware of our long-term destiny.
To those of us who really think we can take it with us in a U-Haul, the Wisdom writer in our first reading rather cynically says: “Vanity of vanities! All these things are vanity!”
Saying of Culture: It Will Never Be Enough Until You Are Enough
Finally, the last saying actually comes from Chinese spirituality, but it is very Christian in nature. The saying is: “It [out there] will never be enough until you [in here] are enough.”
The underlying point here is clear: who we are and who we become as persons is what counts in life. This is what Jesus means in today’s Gospel when he tells us to “become rich in the sight of God.”
It is what St. Paul means in our second reading when he calls us “to set our hearts on what pertains to higher realms.”
To those of us who resonate with this final saying, we must focus on two things to become “rich in the sight of God” and to “set our hearts on higher realms.”
First, we need to look beyond ourselves to include caring for family, friends or those at work in our everyday awareness.
So we need to make some room in our schedule or our budget for caring for those who lack the very basics. Looking beyond ourselves is what it takes.
And second, we need to look beyond this world, thinking about God and Jesus Christ each day.
So we let prayer punctuate our day. We reflect on Scripture. We receive the Eucharist each Sunday.
Looking beyond ourselves and beyond our world helps us become like Jesus.
And we come to understand this last saying, “It [out there] will never be enough until you [in here] are enough.”
Conclusion
Our attitudes toward money and possessions tell us a great deal about what is lacking in our lives as followers of Jesus and what needs to be done about those lacks.
Our Lady of Grace
August 5, 2007
Sayings on Money and Material Possessions
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Some Sayings
This past week, I came across a number of sayings dealing with our attitudes toward money and material possessions.
These sayings relate to the Scripture passages that we just heard, so I decided to group my thoughts for today around these sayings.
Taken together, they convey a lot of insight and wisdom. There are two sayings of our culture and two sayings of our faith.
As I share them see which of the four you have personally made your own.
Saying of Culture: I Am What I Have
The first saying of our culture is: “I am what I have.” The significant thing here is the word “I.”
“I am what I have.” We see this emphasis on the word “I” in the Parable of the Rich Man in today’s Gospel.
The rich man says: “What shall I do? I have no place to store my harvest. I know. I will pull down my grain bins and have larger ones. Then I will say to myself: you have blessings in reserve. Enjoy yourself.”
The entire focus in this saying – “I am what I have” – and in the Parable of the Rich Man is on the word “I”.
If this is a saying we resonate with or which we have made our own then we need to be aware that being self-absorbed in things – any things – does not make us who we are as persons.
I simply am not my car, my job, my spouse.
Saying of Culture: More Is Better
A second saying of our culture is: “More is better.”
Our consumerist economy leads us to think that more money, more clothes, more furniture, more toys, or a bigger house is better.
This mentality has contributed to the fact that we will never have enough storage space as we build and use more and more storage facilities everywhere. This saying deceives us into thinking that things can satisfy us.
“More is better” gives us no norm for deciding what we should and should not have other, than having more.
If this saying rings true for us, we need to be aware of it and recognize that whatever latest new thing we have amassed does not give us lasting satisfaction.
Saying of Faith: Hearse Pulling a U-Hall
In contrast to these sayings of our culture, there are also two sayings of our faith. Try these on for size, as well.
The first is humorously stated as: “Have you ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul?” Think about it…of course you haven’t, the dead can’t take anything with them.
Now of course, that saying is not in the Bible, but in truth, it is another way of making the same point that Jesus does in today’s Parable of the Rich Man. He asks: “To whom will all this piled-up wealth of yours go?”
Being so focused on what we have keeps us from being aware of our long-term destiny.
To those of us who really think we can take it with us in a U-Haul, the Wisdom writer in our first reading rather cynically says: “Vanity of vanities! All these things are vanity!”
Saying of Culture: It Will Never Be Enough Until You Are Enough
Finally, the last saying actually comes from Chinese spirituality, but it is very Christian in nature. The saying is: “It [out there] will never be enough until you [in here] are enough.”
The underlying point here is clear: who we are and who we become as persons is what counts in life. This is what Jesus means in today’s Gospel when he tells us to “become rich in the sight of God.”
It is what St. Paul means in our second reading when he calls us “to set our hearts on what pertains to higher realms.”
To those of us who resonate with this final saying, we must focus on two things to become “rich in the sight of God” and to “set our hearts on higher realms.”
First, we need to look beyond ourselves to include caring for family, friends or those at work in our everyday awareness.
So we need to make some room in our schedule or our budget for caring for those who lack the very basics. Looking beyond ourselves is what it takes.
And second, we need to look beyond this world, thinking about God and Jesus Christ each day.
So we let prayer punctuate our day. We reflect on Scripture. We receive the Eucharist each Sunday.
Looking beyond ourselves and beyond our world helps us become like Jesus.
And we come to understand this last saying, “It [out there] will never be enough until you [in here] are enough.”
Conclusion
Our attitudes toward money and possessions tell us a great deal about what is lacking in our lives as followers of Jesus and what needs to be done about those lacks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
