Your Pastoral Coach

Gospel Reflection for Sunday, August 27, 2006

A Scriptural reflection on the readings for Sunday, August 26, 2006. Life is so much richer when we live it consciously. We are so busy all the time. We are running around with endless lists of to dos and with many fears and concerns in our head. When we live like this, we may do many things out of habit and not because our heart and mind are engaged in the present moment. Unfortunately, this also applies to our relationship with God and to the implication of our yes to God's call. When we slow down, we get to "taste and see the goodness of the Lord" as this week's psalm reminds us. But we also realize that the most beautiful gift God gave us, was the gift of choice. We have a choice to love and follow our God, or many other "gods," be they money, pride, greed, fame, etc. We have a choice. In the first reading, Joshua presented that choice to the Israelites. "Decide today whom you will serve...", said Joshua. It must be a conscious choice, and it is not an easy one to make.

Despite all the loving things God has done and continues to do for us out of love, it is not easy to make the conscious choice to serve him. This choice comes with consequences. we must live our life according to Divine and not human values. Our thoughts, words, and actions must spring forth from our belief in Jesus and in our communal union with Him, strengthened through the Eucharist. Jesus' words challenged some of His disciples back then, and many left him and returned to their old ways. We have a choice to make, and when we say yes, we are saying yes to become one with "the Holy One of God,' who in turn will help us become holy. Many of us after thinking about the alternatives of this choice, say along with Simon Peter, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Oh what a beautiful life we live, when we are conscious on a daily basis, that we are choosing to belief and live as Christians, and not to live on automatic pilot. Then we affirm along with Joshua, "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Peace!

Technorati Tags: Gospel Reflection, Scripture Reflection

Gospel Reflection for Sunday, August 20, 2006

Scriptural reflection for the readings of Sunday, August 20, 2006. In John's Gospel we read Jesus saying, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." Wow. Sit with this for a minute. Through the Eucharist, we are not only receiving nourishment and grace, we are uniting with our God through His Son Jesus. We are becoming one in Spirit with God and hence, with all humanity. No whites, blacks, or hispanics. No rich or poor, healthy or sick. We are all one body when we share in the Eucharist.

After reading the Gospel this morning, I let my mind wonder in meditation. I imagined myself walking through this verdant valley and meeting Jesus. He was glowing in radiant light. I walked toward Him and He walked toward me. And we walked into each other, merging with one another. I felt as if He occupied every inch of my being. I could then radiate His light of love, peace, and joy to all around me. I think this is what it is all about. One with our beloved in perfect intimate union. We become one with Jesus and through Him we can do God's work of love. Jesus says that He remains in me and I in Him. Therefore we share Lady Wisdom. And, out of all things this wisdom could do for me, the best thing is to help me listen to God's will. To help me understand God's will in every decision I need to make, big or small. When I live like this, I live in His presence, and live in heaven, while on Earth.

Peace.

Technorati Tags: Gospel Reflection, Scripture Reflection

Gospel Reflection for Sunday August 13, 2006

Scriptural reflection for the Scripture readings for Sunday, August 13, 2006. In this first reading from the book of Kings, we read about an event in the life of the great prophet Elijah. It appears that he is in despair and ready to die. He is even asking God to please take his life. Then an angel gently wakes him twice and feeds him. He goes from allowing himself to die to having enough energy to walk for 40 days to the mountain of God, Horeb. This is intriguing. It is not uncommon for people to feel hopelessness and despair, but it is not that common to be fed by angels. Or is it? To get more out of this passage, let's explore what happened to Elijah before this angel came to feed him.

Like all prophets, Elijah had the difficult task to speak the truth, God's truth, to those in power. To speak about love and loyalty to God to those consumed with greed and hunger for power, or those worshiping false gods. King Ahab married Jezebel who was very devoted to pagan practices and gods. She very openly promoted those religious practices, constructed shrines to gods and fertility goddesses and had 400 prophets of Baal. Elijah challenged Ahab's and Jezebel's actions of disloyalty to the God of Israel and predicted a severe drought, which in fact came. Elijah was miraculously fed by ravens, lived with a poor women whose small amount of flour kept on feeding them, and even was able to successfully pray to revive a child who died.

In a climatic confrontation he challenged 150 prophets of Baal to see whose god would set afire a sacrifice on top of Mount Carmel. The "false" prophets pray and cried all day and the pile of wood with a bull did not get fire. Elijah prayed to God and immediately the sacrifice was set afire. This happened in front of thousands of Israelites who saw this and said "The Lord, he is God." The false prophets all got killed. Good news? Heavenly victory? Yes, but not followed by peace, as Jezebel promises to kill Elijah and he once again flees to survive.

Is it any wonder that Elijah felt hopeless? What could he do that would be more daring and amazing than what just happened on Mount Carmel? Yet, Jezebel did not believe and wanted to kill him. Many more things happened to Elijah after this moment and he in fact was able to help Ahab believe, before Elijah is taken to the heavens in a chariot of fire. I would venture to guess that most of us don't experience the death threatening challenges that Elijah experienced. Yet, we all face times when speaking God's truth could be harmful to us in some way. Most of us do not experience an angel waking us to feed us. Yet, many of us experience an angelic person saying just the right words or making the right economic connections that help us get up and get going when we though we were at the end of our rope.

We are called to speak the truth, to act based on the truth, and to live the truth. It is scary many times and we actually have to live the negative reaction that comes from this. Yet, when we least expect it, when we think we are done, angels feed our soul and our body. We are then ready to walk another 40 days through the desert. And this happens over and over, until we join our God in heaven.

God bless you!

Technorati Tags: Gospel Reflection, Scripture Reflection

Enjoying Life in Nashville, TN

Last week was a very difficult one for me. I was exposed to people I interact with often knowingly behaving in a prejudicial and discriminatory way, while others were completely supporting them for their own self-interest. It literally has been making me sick to my stomach. Then I had the decision of how and when to act to try to protect the innocents. Well, I made that decision yesterday, and I already feel better. Given that rough week, I needed some rest and relaxation My birthday was Saturday and I asked my wife Angie to not buy me anything. Instead I want experiences.

Well, she took me to Nashville, TN for the weekend. First time for both. We had a very pleasant drive on Friday. Saturday we walked through every single street and park of this pretty and fun city. We were very impressed with the city. Music is everywhere and sounds from live bands pour out of many clubs and restaurants even during the day. The Country Music Hall of Fame was interesting. Then, I got one of my dreams come true: going to the Grand Ole Opry! I was so happy! Yes, I'm a Puerto Rican that in addition to Salsa and Merengue (types of Latin music) loves Bluegrass and Country. The show was spectacular! I love music and I love radio, so this was a great combination. The musicians were top notch. During those three hours I was totally there, not thinking about how easily the dignity of people can be dismissed for self-interest.

I definitely recommend Nashville for a fun weekend!

Technorati Tags: Happiness