Wheat must die, so must I
Wheat only gives grain if it is buried and "dies." Jesus uses this example to describe why he is going to have to undergo death. Christ prays for God to save him from death, and God does save him from death, but not from having to die. We pray for deliverance from death and suffering, yet so often God lets us suffer and lets us die in many ways. He saves us from death, but not from having to die, because these sacrifices are necessary if we are to have life and bring life to others.
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Fr. Joel's Homily for Mar. 29
Lent5 - Invited to Suffer With
Lent, 5th Sunday. Some Greeks would like to see Jesus. So why does Jesus talk about a grain of wheat? Because Jesus is inviting them to suffer with him, to follow him on the road to the cross. We can do this in our own way by entering into the sufferings of others, and by letting others enter into our suffering. It is through suffering that the evil one is cast out, we win victory over sin and death, and we come to see the face of Jesus. (29 Mar. 2009)
Notes: A deacon preached this weekend but I thought my homily was still interesting enough to post. Then my microphone died on me and I had to find another microphone. So I hope it is clear enough for you to understand.
{Readings}
Lent, 5th Sunday. Some Greeks would like to see Jesus. So why does Jesus talk about a grain of wheat? Because Jesus is inviting them to suffer with him, to follow him on the road to the cross. We can do this in our own way by entering into the sufferings of others, and by letting others enter into our suffering. It is through suffering that the evil one is cast out, we win victory over sin and death, and we come to see the face of Jesus. (29 Mar. 2009)
Notes: A deacon preached this weekend but I thought my homily was still interesting enough to post. Then my microphone died on me and I had to find another microphone. So I hope it is clear enough for you to understand.
{Readings}
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Red meat linked to death
Those of you struggling with abstaining from meat on Fridays might be interested in a new study by the National Cancer Institute. It followed 500,000 people for 10 years. Those those who at the highest proportion of processed meats and red meat (about 6oz a day of beef, pork, lamb, veal) had a higher rate of death than those who ate less. Those who ate a higher proportion of white meat had a slightly lower rate than those who ate less. The causes of death varied, but heart disease and cancer were both noticeable in the study.
It is interesting that modern science supports the ancient intuition that abstaining from meat brought a better state of body and spirit. It is really a sign of how foolish we are that we are even surprised. How much discarded wisdom will the next generation struggle to rediscover?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Fr Benjamin's homily for March 22th
Longing for home
From their exile, the people of Israel longed to return home. The church, in Lent, longs to end her exile and come home to God. We struggle to fit in, to find a home, not realizing that our true home is with Jesus Christ in Heaven. So as a church, we cry out to Mary, longing to become worthy to join her in heaven.
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From their exile, the people of Israel longed to return home. The church, in Lent, longs to end her exile and come home to God. We struggle to fit in, to find a home, not realizing that our true home is with Jesus Christ in Heaven. So as a church, we cry out to Mary, longing to become worthy to join her in heaven.
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Friday, March 20, 2009
The Year of the Priest
Fr. Joel
The Pope has decided to declare this upcoming year, "The Year of the Priest." The new patron of priesthood will be St. John Vianney, the great parish priest of Ars, France. In his catechism lesson on priesthood, the famous cure' said:
The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the Sacraments to himself. He is not for himself, he is for you... When people wish to destroy religion, they begin by attacking the priest, because where there is no longer any priest there is no sacrifice, and where there is no longer any sacrifice there is no religion...
What joy did the Apostles feel after the Resurrection of Our Lord, at seeing the Master whom they had loved so much! The priest must feel the same joy at seeing Our Lord whom he holds in his hands. Great value is attached to objects which have been laid in the drinking cup of the Blessed Virgin and of the Child Jesus, at Loretto. But the fingers of the priest, that have touched the adorable Flesh of Jesus Christ, that have been plunged into the chalice which contained His Blood, into the pyx where His Body has lain, are they not still more precious? The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.
It seems, then, that the essence of priesthood is unconditional love. Is that even possible?
The Pope has decided to declare this upcoming year, "The Year of the Priest." The new patron of priesthood will be St. John Vianney, the great parish priest of Ars, France. In his catechism lesson on priesthood, the famous cure' said:
The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the Sacraments to himself. He is not for himself, he is for you... When people wish to destroy religion, they begin by attacking the priest, because where there is no longer any priest there is no sacrifice, and where there is no longer any sacrifice there is no religion...
What joy did the Apostles feel after the Resurrection of Our Lord, at seeing the Master whom they had loved so much! The priest must feel the same joy at seeing Our Lord whom he holds in his hands. Great value is attached to objects which have been laid in the drinking cup of the Blessed Virgin and of the Child Jesus, at Loretto. But the fingers of the priest, that have touched the adorable Flesh of Jesus Christ, that have been plunged into the chalice which contained His Blood, into the pyx where His Body has lain, are they not still more precious? The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.
It seems, then, that the essence of priesthood is unconditional love. Is that even possible?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Pope in Africa
The Pope visits Africa, a continent beset by problems. Strongman governments rob the people, several countries are struggling with epidemic violence, the level of education is generally low, there is little economic development and few opportunities for those who are able to get an education. Developed countries continue to raid the continent of anything valuable and leave the rest behind. The Western media naturaly ignores these hard issues and focuses on its favorite topic, sex. Most of our culture is obsessed with sex, and the media both exploits this fact and suffers from it like an addiction.
They all print the same story: Pope condemns condom use, clearly showing that he values religion above people's safety because experts say condoms are the only thing that can prevent the AIDS epidemic.
Any reporter who took the time to listen to the Pope would realize he is acutely aware of the problems facing Africans and believes that only an approach which values the whole person can answer those problems. The "enlightened" approach, on the other hand, stinks like old racism, since it assumes that African libido is uncontrollable and the best we can do is wrap the problem in latex.
Actually, the evidence is extremely strong that the biggest risk for HIV is multiple concurrent partnerships, and so reducing concurrent partnerships will reduce the risk. This is the abstract from March, 2009 issue of Studies in Family Planning:
The global diversity of HIV epidemics can be explained in part by types and patterns of sexual partnerships. We offer a typology of sexual partnerships that corresponds to varying levels of HIV-transmission risk to help guide thinking about appropriate behavioral interventions, particularly in the epidemics of sub-Saharan Africa. Declines in HIV prevalence have been associated with reductions in numbers of sex partners, whereas many other prevention strategies have not been demonstrated to reduce HIV transmission at a population level. We suggest a reorientation of current prevention efforts, based on the epidemiology of sexually transmitted HIV epidemics and trends in sexual behavior change. Concurrent sexual partnerships are likely to play a large role in transmission dynamics in the generalized epidemics of East and Southern Africa, and should be addressed through improved behavior-change interventions.
All this basically means that the money spent on condoms was wasted and the Pope's idea of promoting monogamy has better success. As a side note, male circumcision also notably reduces the risk of HIV infection.
Now can we stop thinking about sex and discuss some of Africa's other problems?
They all print the same story: Pope condemns condom use, clearly showing that he values religion above people's safety because experts say condoms are the only thing that can prevent the AIDS epidemic.
Any reporter who took the time to listen to the Pope would realize he is acutely aware of the problems facing Africans and believes that only an approach which values the whole person can answer those problems. The "enlightened" approach, on the other hand, stinks like old racism, since it assumes that African libido is uncontrollable and the best we can do is wrap the problem in latex.
Actually, the evidence is extremely strong that the biggest risk for HIV is multiple concurrent partnerships, and so reducing concurrent partnerships will reduce the risk. This is the abstract from March, 2009 issue of Studies in Family Planning:
The global diversity of HIV epidemics can be explained in part by types and patterns of sexual partnerships. We offer a typology of sexual partnerships that corresponds to varying levels of HIV-transmission risk to help guide thinking about appropriate behavioral interventions, particularly in the epidemics of sub-Saharan Africa. Declines in HIV prevalence have been associated with reductions in numbers of sex partners, whereas many other prevention strategies have not been demonstrated to reduce HIV transmission at a population level. We suggest a reorientation of current prevention efforts, based on the epidemiology of sexually transmitted HIV epidemics and trends in sexual behavior change. Concurrent sexual partnerships are likely to play a large role in transmission dynamics in the generalized epidemics of East and Southern Africa, and should be addressed through improved behavior-change interventions.
All this basically means that the money spent on condoms was wasted and the Pope's idea of promoting monogamy has better success. As a side note, male circumcision also notably reduces the risk of HIV infection.
Now can we stop thinking about sex and discuss some of Africa's other problems?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Fr Benjamin's homily for March 15th
Moneychangers upsidedown
Once money gets involved, it has a way of taking over. Instead of serving the needs of the people, they end up serving money. The money changers that Jesus drove out of the temple are the root of the modern financial system, and today we face the same problem Jesus saw. Instead of the financial system serving people, people become slaves to the system.
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Once money gets involved, it has a way of taking over. Instead of serving the needs of the people, they end up serving money. The money changers that Jesus drove out of the temple are the root of the modern financial system, and today we face the same problem Jesus saw. Instead of the financial system serving people, people become slaves to the system.
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Fr. Joel's Homily for Mar. 15
Lent3 - Cast out the Old Yeast (7:00)
Lent, 3rd Sunday. In the tradition of Passover, the Jewish people would get rid of any old leavened bread so that they could start new. Jesus casts the sellers out of the temple to purify the worship of God that has grown moldy and stale. In the same way we are called to cast out the old yeast of sin and corruption, and accept the new 'starter dough' of Jesus Christ himself. (15 Mar. 2009)
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Lent, 3rd Sunday. In the tradition of Passover, the Jewish people would get rid of any old leavened bread so that they could start new. Jesus casts the sellers out of the temple to purify the worship of God that has grown moldy and stale. In the same way we are called to cast out the old yeast of sin and corruption, and accept the new 'starter dough' of Jesus Christ himself. (15 Mar. 2009)
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Embryos + politics = :-(
On Monday Barak Obama signed an executive order reversing a Bush decision to limit Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The ban, dating from the Clinton era, avoided the ethical dilemma involved in creating embryos for experimentation by allowing funding only for stem cell lines already created. Although not entirely satisfactory from an ethical point of view, it was a strong statement that scientific investigation could not proceed however it wanted but needed to abide by certain social limits.
The Obama decision is disturbing for exactly that reason - it strikes down ethical limits. CNN quoted the president as saying that scientific decisions must be "based on facts, not ideology." This is a very, very dangerous position. Science that pursues facts for their own sake, or worse, that pursues facts for the lucrative profit that could result, irrespective of ethical boundaries, begins to threaten human society. The environmental damage of the past century is living proof of this. A far greater proof is embryonic stem cell research itself. Creating embryos purely for experimentation disrespects human life, the very thing the scientific community must serve and protect. Some would say that it is acceptable to sacrifice some for the good of the whole, but that is very dangerous territory. Who should be sacrificed for whom? Whose life is not worth living? To say some may be sacrificed puts my life in jeopardy.
The flaming irony of Obama's decision is that it was not at all based on facts. US News and others have reported that embryonic stem cell research is obsolete - while adult cells have produced noticeable results, embryonic cells have produced problems including tumors. Had the president been looking at the facts he would have seen good reason not to issue this order.
His decision was based on ideology as far as I can see. Science balks at the idea of being subservient to politics, as much as it craves money from the public sector. Politics revolts against the idea of ethical concerns dictating its course, forgetting that the good of human society is the only noble purpose for which politics exist. Obama's decision is not a triumph for science, nor a product of good political process, but another example of human concerns being trampled by science with political clout. The president has once more treated human life cheaply.
The Obama decision is disturbing for exactly that reason - it strikes down ethical limits. CNN quoted the president as saying that scientific decisions must be "based on facts, not ideology." This is a very, very dangerous position. Science that pursues facts for their own sake, or worse, that pursues facts for the lucrative profit that could result, irrespective of ethical boundaries, begins to threaten human society. The environmental damage of the past century is living proof of this. A far greater proof is embryonic stem cell research itself. Creating embryos purely for experimentation disrespects human life, the very thing the scientific community must serve and protect. Some would say that it is acceptable to sacrifice some for the good of the whole, but that is very dangerous territory. Who should be sacrificed for whom? Whose life is not worth living? To say some may be sacrificed puts my life in jeopardy.
The flaming irony of Obama's decision is that it was not at all based on facts. US News and others have reported that embryonic stem cell research is obsolete - while adult cells have produced noticeable results, embryonic cells have produced problems including tumors. Had the president been looking at the facts he would have seen good reason not to issue this order.
His decision was based on ideology as far as I can see. Science balks at the idea of being subservient to politics, as much as it craves money from the public sector. Politics revolts against the idea of ethical concerns dictating its course, forgetting that the good of human society is the only noble purpose for which politics exist. Obama's decision is not a triumph for science, nor a product of good political process, but another example of human concerns being trampled by science with political clout. The president has once more treated human life cheaply.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Fr. Joel's Homily for Mar. 8, Part 2
Lent2b - A Father's Sacrifice (5:50)
I gave this homily at my other two sites, the Newman Center and Most Blessed Sacrament.
Lent, 2nd Sunday. Abraham is asked to sacrifice his only beloved son and he passes the test with flying colors. This teaches us not to sacrifice other people in our lives, but also not to cling to the things that we have. In the final analysis it finally shows the depth of the Father's love for us when he chose to sacrifice his only Beloved Son. (8 Mar. 2009)
I gave this homily at my other two sites, the Newman Center and Most Blessed Sacrament.
Lent, 2nd Sunday. Abraham is asked to sacrifice his only beloved son and he passes the test with flying colors. This teaches us not to sacrifice other people in our lives, but also not to cling to the things that we have. In the final analysis it finally shows the depth of the Father's love for us when he chose to sacrifice his only Beloved Son. (8 Mar. 2009)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Fr Benjamin's homily for March 8th
The top of the mountain
Jesus leads the disciples up the top of the mountain and his divine glory shines through for them to see. He wants them to know that he must die, and the law and the prophets have confirmed this. The first reading points out one confirmation; the ram in the thicket which prefigures Jesus. We come before the "mountain" of the altar to offer sacrifice and to see God's glory.
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Jesus leads the disciples up the top of the mountain and his divine glory shines through for them to see. He wants them to know that he must die, and the law and the prophets have confirmed this. The first reading points out one confirmation; the ram in the thicket which prefigures Jesus. We come before the "mountain" of the altar to offer sacrifice and to see God's glory.
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Fr. Joel's Homily for Mar. 8, Part 1
Lent2a - Human Dignity Transfigured (6:20)
I gave two homilies this weekend. St. Jude is doing a Lenten series on the social teachings of the Church, so this is the first homily which I gave on Human Dignity.
Lent, 2nd Sunday. The Transfiguration of Jesus reveals his true glory and dignity hidden beneath his ordinary human appearance. It also shows us the glory and dignity of every human being. Flannery O'Connor says, "You will have found Christ when you are concerned with other people's sufferings not your own." This Lent God calls us to see the glory and dignity of every human person. Will we drink the cup? (7 Mar. 2009)
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I gave two homilies this weekend. St. Jude is doing a Lenten series on the social teachings of the Church, so this is the first homily which I gave on Human Dignity.
Lent, 2nd Sunday. The Transfiguration of Jesus reveals his true glory and dignity hidden beneath his ordinary human appearance. It also shows us the glory and dignity of every human being. Flannery O'Connor says, "You will have found Christ when you are concerned with other people's sufferings not your own." This Lent God calls us to see the glory and dignity of every human person. Will we drink the cup? (7 Mar. 2009)
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Sunday, March 1, 2009
Fr Benjamin's homily for March 1st
Between animals and angels
God first led the people of Israel to freedom in the desert, and today Jesus returns to the desert. He is "among the wild beasts, and angels ministered to him." Jesus took our place, between the animals and the angels, with impulses and needs like the animals, but with the ability to know good and choose it like the angels. Instead of following our impulses to what is most comfortable we should follow what we really know to be good. Lent is a time to more consistently, more deliberately, seek true freedom in what is good.
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God first led the people of Israel to freedom in the desert, and today Jesus returns to the desert. He is "among the wild beasts, and angels ministered to him." Jesus took our place, between the animals and the angels, with impulses and needs like the animals, but with the ability to know good and choose it like the angels. Instead of following our impulses to what is most comfortable we should follow what we really know to be good. Lent is a time to more consistently, more deliberately, seek true freedom in what is good.
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Fr. Joel's homily for Mar. 1
Lent1 - Follow Jesus into the Desert (5:16)
Lent, 1st Sunday. Noah endured the trial of 40 days of rain. It washed away the world's sinfulness and gave him a new and deeper relationship with God. Jesus endured 40 days of temptation in the desert. He defeated Satan and won for us victory over sin and a deeper relationship with God. We are invited to take up the fight. If we face the trial of our own sinfulness, the fruit will be a deeper relationship with God. Are you willing to follow Jesus into the desert? (1 Mar. 2009)
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Lent, 1st Sunday. Noah endured the trial of 40 days of rain. It washed away the world's sinfulness and gave him a new and deeper relationship with God. Jesus endured 40 days of temptation in the desert. He defeated Satan and won for us victory over sin and a deeper relationship with God. We are invited to take up the fight. If we face the trial of our own sinfulness, the fruit will be a deeper relationship with God. Are you willing to follow Jesus into the desert? (1 Mar. 2009)
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