His Invitation

Reading 1 1 SM 3:3B-10, 19
Responsorial Psalm PS 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
Reading 2 1 COR 6:13C-15A, 17-20
Gospel JN 1:35-42

When the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel, He extended an invitation to all of us to hear His words. By answering “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1SM 3:10), Samuel accepted God’s will for us, to serve Him (cf. PS 40:8a-9a).

The invitation was extended and reaffirmed once more when His Son said to Andrew and John “Come, and you will see” (JN 1:39) and they announced to Peter “We have found the Messiah” (JN 1:41).

God wants to reveal Himself to us just as He did to Samuel and the first disciples. The extent of our participation, however, will be determined by how well we heed, pray and discern His calling and our willingness to seek spiritual direction (cf. 1SM 3:9, JN 1:35).

With His invitation, God asserts that our “bodies are members of Christ” (1 COR 6:15). By accepting his bid, we uphold God’s ownership of what His Son “purchased at a price”       (1 COR 6:20), the “temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God”            (1 COR 6:19).

Lessons on Trust

(Commentary on 8/4/14 readings)

“And Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet: Listen to this, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you” (Jeremiah 28:15).

In today’s scriptures we hear two very different stories but both share one theme: trust the Lord.

In the Book of Jeremiah (28:1-17), we hear about a false prophet, Hananiah, claiming to speak on behalf of God. Instead of being anxious about this event, Jeremiah calmly rebukes the false message. Why was Jeremiah so confident? Because Jeremiah trusted God’s words on false prophets, “do not fear him” (Deuteronomy 18:22).

In today’s gospel Matthew (14:22-36), Jesus invites Peter to walk with him on the waters. Peter accepts the invitation, but midway through his walk, Peter doubts Jesus’ command and begins to go under until Jesus pulls him out. Jesus goes on to chide Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31b).

Why are their reactions so different? .

Today’s scriptures are meant to contrast Jeremiah’s and Peter’s trust in the Lord; not to measure their righteousness, but to celebrate their humanity and to offer us hope.

Regardless of where we stand in relationship with the Lord, there are occasional failures and successes. Nonetheless, if we persevere and always ask: “Lord, teach me your statutes” (Psalm 119:68b), the Lord will show us how to trust in him as he taught Jeremiah and Peter.

— God, I give my heart to you this day; may you will it to please you.–

Sancte Spiritus

On the Solemnity of Pentecost and the birthday of the Church, I honor the Holy Spirit by the words below. Thanks to Deacon Dan Lupo, co-director of Diaconal Formation for the Austin Diocese, for challenging me to write them.

Sancte Spiritus

An indelible mark you placed in my heart, Sancte Spiritus.

A patronage for a journey past the heavens of my nature, Sancte Spiritus.

A call to be your apostle, Sancte Spiritus.

A witness to the blind and the deaf in spirit, Sancte Spiritus

A voice for the voiceless and a healer for the suffering and sorrowful, Sancte Spiritus.

Redemption to the darned, Sancte Spiritus.

Shelter for the homeless, Sancte Spiritus

Companion for the lonely, Sancte Spiritus

Love for the poor, the abandoned and the marginalized, Sancte Spiritus,

Joy to the widow and the orphan, Sancte Spiritus

Peace to the restless and the worried, Sancte Spiritus

Yet, I asked you, am I worthy of this mark? You answered “imitate Paul”; Veni Sancte Spiritus.

What if I fail to affirm you? You answered “imitate Peter”; Veni Sancte Spiritus

I wondered, can I carry this burden? You said “imitate Christ”; Veni Sancte Spiritus.

I praise God for you, my Advocate, my Paraclete; Veni Sancte Spiritus

May I always rest under your wings, Veni Sancte Spiritus.

 

Have a blessed Pentecost Sunday!!!