November 12, 2018

Josaphat

November 12, 2018:  St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr / Veterans Day



Listen
For the gospel
    • Look it up/ Presley, Orrall:  country song with verse about how hard it is for us to forgive ("forgiveness... what Jesus has in store for you, but I don't..."). This Bailey and Lowe cover avoids the original's bad language.Lyrics+
For Psalm 24
Pope Francis
Homily:  The Church, born amid zeal and disorder, accomplished admirable things.  Don't fear confusion and disorder.  The Church was never all in order or problem-free; confusion and disorder must be resolved, as the Council of Jerusalem resolved the struggle between judaizers and non-judaizers.  Paul left Titus in Crete to set things right and also provided criteria for the selection of bishops.
A bishop is a steward of God, not goods, power, or self-interest.  The bishop has to ask, "Am I an administrator of God or a businessman?"  The bishop must be irreproachable, sensible, just, holy, faithful to the Word, a master of himself who loves good and gives hospitality, not arrogant, conceited, ill-tempered, attached to money, or a heavy drinker.  Above all, bishops must be humble servants.Pray that our bishops may be like this.
To Pontifical Academy of Sciences:  The scientific world, because it's aware of the complexity of the world and human beings, is open to spiritual and religious values.  The relationship between values, people, society, and science demands rethinking that promotes advancement of each person and the common good.  Science identifies risks and can propose solutions.  There are 800 million needy and excluded persons lacking food and water.  The arms race must be halted and wars ended to develop sources of renewable energy and ensure water, food, and health for all.  May your research benefit all, so that all may be fed, given to drink, healed, and educated; may politics and economics learn from you how to advance towards the common good, for the benefit especially of those in need, and towards respect for our planet.
To Pontifical Lateran University Chancellor:  Students and staff must plant seeds of peace.  This begins with listening, professionalism, and dedication, accompanied by humility and the desire to be all things to all.
The need to prevent and resolve conflicts is growing.  The Church feels called to inspire and support each initiative that ensures a journey of peace.  We must listen and understand, but also study the assets of value and the instruments that drive us towards isolation, violence, and destruction.
The university must help find solutions to problems affecting peace, social harmony, the land, and the defense of life, human and civil rights.  The university symbolizes the integral humanity that always needs renewal and enrichment.  It must serve a missionary Church, first and foremost by addressing the younger generations.  We are to incarnate the Word of God without being afraid of risking and dreaming of peace for all.
Read
  • Ti 1:1-9  Titus, I left you so that you might set right what remained to be done and appoint presbyters:  blameless, married only once, with believing children not licentious or rebellious.  A bishop must be blameless, not arrogant, irritable, aggressive, greedy, or a drunkard, but hospitable, good, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message, both to exhort and to refute opponents.
  • Ps 24:1b-4ab, 5-6  "Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face."  The Lord’s are the world and those who dwell in it.  Those with clean hearts, God will reward.
  • Lk 17:1-6  “Better for you to have a millstone around your neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause little ones to sin.  Rebuke sinners; forgive those who repent.  If you have mustard seed-sized faith, you'd say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey.”

Reflect
  • Creighton:  Jesus tells us to be on our guard against the sins around us, to be reconcilers, unifiers, bridge builders, healers, forgivers in the face of forces of division.  We need to reflect on whether the Spirit is behind our desires and to repent when we give into divisiveness.  Our faith, such as it is, can give us the courage to do so.  Let's start from our common faith in God's love, not our differences.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Forgive":  We, Jesus' disciples made in God's image, must be like Jesus in every aspect of our conduct:  to work, suffer, give, love, and keep forgiving like God.  God's standard of forgiveness requires we give offenders affection, gifts, and honor.  God's grace makes it possible.
  • Passionist:  I think Paul’s list of requirements for Church leaders should apply to us all.  Are we humble, hospitable, just, holy, and self-controlled, living models of discipleship?  We have a long way to go before our parishes, ministries, and lives reflect Christ.  I put Paul's list on my bathroom mirror to remind myself of who I want to be, how I want to treat people, and what God is calling me to become, and to reflect on how I'm doing and where I could do better.  As we allow God better to use we'll transform the Church.
    • St. Josaphat
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Increase our faith":  Two forces are at work in our lives:  temptation to sin, and faith to overcome obstacles to loving God and others.  The Greek for temptation (scandalon) is like 'scandal,' originally meaning trap or stumbling block causing one to fall.  Scripture warns us about the enticement to go astray:  "Keep me from the trap they've laid for me!" "In one who loves and lives in the light there's no cause for stumbling."  Jews considered it unforgivable to teach another to sin and so to set a sin train in motion.  Jesus warns his disciples not to set any stumbling blocks by giving offense or bad example; he also demonstrates that faith can overcome obstacles and temptation.  What appears impossible is possible to those who believe in God's power.  God expects more than we can do by ourselves, but the Holy Spirit helps us grow strong in faith, persevere in hope, and endure in love. Our joy and privilege is to follow the Lord and serve with his love and goodness....
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