Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - August 18, 2024

Throughout the Bible, “wisdom” is always sought after and almost always held in high esteem. I say, “almost always” because the New Testament contrasts “earthly” wisdom, which is not wisdom at all, with divine or “Godly” wisdom. This weekend’s passage from the book of Proverbs is an invitation to all to partake of that ongoing experience of Godly wisdom.

In this weekend’s passage from the Book of Proverbs, Wisdom is portrayed as a wealthy, generous woman who has built a fine home with 7 pillars, prepared a lavish meal, and sent “her maidens” to invite all to partake. She does not limit her invitation to the elite. Instead, she invites “all who are simple.” She wants all to partake of her feast and live the life that God has designed for us. This life includes God’s generous gift of wisdom which is always available to us. The book of Proverbs reminds us that wisdom can always increase even among the wise. In the book of James we read, “If any of you is lacking in wisdom ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” James confirms that God is the source of wisdom and that His wisdom is available to all.

With wisdom, we “walk in the way of insight” which means that we can discern and follow God’s path for use. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul declares that Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” If Christ takes on Proverb’s role of Wisdom, then walking “in the way of insight” is walking in the way of Christ. Paul reinforces this point in his letter to the Ephesians where he writes, “Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise…try to understand what is the will of the Lord.”

And so, as we contemplate wisdom, let’s remember that: All wisdom comes from God; God invites all of us to partake of His wisdom; and, gaining wisdom is a continuous, lifelong endeavor. As the 70s rock band, Kansas, sang, “If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don’t know.” We must be humble enough to admit that we can never be wise enough.

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - August 11, 2024

Fighting and internal strife were common problems in the early church. The letter to the Hebrews reminds early Christians to avoid distractions: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” However, rather than embrace the one true message of the one true Christ, many early Christians were distracted by the “strange teachings” of internal issues of legalism and history. In this week’s passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he speaks sternly to them because they are simply not getting along. Even those who tried to preach the good news to non-believers were setting a poor example because their own words and actions were inconsistent with their preaching. 

Paul chastises the Ephesians for fighting amongst themselves and for being rude, disrespectful, insulting, judging, and gossiping: “All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” Paul directs the Ephesians in the same way as Jesus directs His followers in today’s Gospel passage: “Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from Him comes to me.” The lesson we learn from both Jesus and His Father is a lesson of love. Paul reminds the Ephesians (and us) that Jesus Christ is “the way” and they, as followers of “the way” must remain united in Jesus. Nothing should ever interfere with that reality. 

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul told them that they should fix their “thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Those excellent, praise worthy things would be the life of Jesus Christ, His sacrifice for us, His love for us, and His desire to be with us for all eternity. The messages to the Ephesians, Hebrews and the Philippians remain relevant and applicable to all Christian churches today; to the Catholic Church in particular as the standard bearer of Christianity; and, to our parish as the face of Jesus Christ in Dana Point. God bless us all as we try to remain focused, forgiving, and faithful!

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection - August 4, 2024

Growing up in New York, complaining was an Olympic sport, but the Israelites took their complaining to an entirely new level. They were master grumblers. If you read the Psalms, you will see them repeatedly complaining and lamenting God’s treatment of them. In fact, the complaint, or lament, is the most common type of psalm. Over 40 psalms are either individual or communal psalms of complaint.

Today, we hear that the Israelites, “grumbled against Moses and Aaron” saying, “Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!” They get an A+ for exaggeration and sarcasm.

Never mind that Moses and Aaron had just rescued them from slavery in Egypt. Never mind that, since God chose Moses to lead the people, they were actually grumbling against God when they grumbled against Moses. Their sarcasm shows that they have no appreciation for God or for the great gift that He has given them. They place no value on their freedom and would prefer to be slaves with their “fill of bread” than free men who have to trust God.

Complaining was a distraction that focused them on the past instead of the future. In fact, it delayed them from realizing their future. It took about 20-30 days to walk from Egypt to Canaan, but when they arrived, they sent some men to assess the situation. The men returned grumbling about how hard it would be to conquer the land. They doubted God. As a result, God forced them to wander the desert for an additional 40 years.

That’s one of the risks of complaining. It tends to focus on worry instead of trust, on the past instead of the future, on how things “used to be” instead of how they might be. It implies distrust in God and resistance to change.

Instead of complaining let’s try having an “Attitude of Gratitude.” Thank God for what we have, trust Him for what we lack, and be open to His plan for us. As the Book of Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…and he will make your paths straight” (even in the desert for 40 years).