Many of us when we were young played Hide-&-Seek. It was really fun. There was a thrill in finding your brother or sister who thought they could outsmart you. It didn’t require batteries and definitely it wasn’t a couch-potato activity. Now, some of you may have heard of Geocaching. It’s a technologically advanced version of Hide-&-Seek. You log on to a website, and they list a number of things hidden in various spots in town. They give you a GPS coordinate, and so with a handheld GPS in your hand, you drive to find out where it is. There is no money or valuable hidden in there. Yet when we are on a hunt for something, we are restless until we find it.
Sometimes we don’t know exactly what we want or need. Yet we are compelled to find it. When I was sophomore at UT Austin, I felt some sort of emptiness, as if something is missing and I need to go find it. I tried New Age books and that did not help me find it. There was no GPS coordinate, and I didn’t know what I was looking for. Then my girl friend at that time invited me to a prayer meeting. A group of guys at the meeting asked me, “Are you saved?” I said, “No.” They asked, “Do you want to be saved?” “Yes.” I hoped may be this Jesus thing may be the answer. I prayed the prayer to invite Jesus into my life, and from that point on, I was on a search?search for Jesus. Have you heard of the term ‘church hopping?’ I did three years of church hopping trying to find the perfect church that had Jesus. I went to a Methodist church, a Church of Christ, a Pentecostal church, and an Episcopal church. Then with the prayers and urging of my mother, I went back to Catholic Church. It was in the Catholic Church that I truly felt that Jesus was there. Yet even when we are in the Catholic Church our search for Jesus hasn’t ended, has it? Outside of a Catholic church, I saw a sign that read, “Find Jesus in the Catholic Church.” Some of the Catholic folks want more vibrant music, charismatic preacher, and better fellowship so they leave the Catholic Church. Certainly what they are seeking is good; but all of that pales in comparison with the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?his real body, soul, humanity, and divinity are all right here.
Today Jesus gives us three parables of people in search of something valuable. He begins, “The King of heaven is like…treasure buried in a field...like a pearl of great price…like fish caught in the net.” What does Jesus mean by the Kingdom of heaven? Pope Benedict XVI in his book Jesus of Nazareth says that the Kingdom of heaven is Jesus himself. Jesus is the one whom, when we find him, is worth selling everything else for. I found a good example this week at the funeral of Mr. Bert Turner, the founder and CEO of the Turner Industries. When I approached the casket to pay my respect, I noticed that the casket was a simple pine box. Here was a man who understood that apart from Jesus we cannot take to heaven anything else that we think are more precious than Jesus.
We have found Jesus here at St. Aloysius Church. Are we still looking for something else?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
July 20, 2008: Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (A)
Little children are very cute. My 3-yr. old niece named Therese is no exception. They do cute things, like bringing a doll or teddy bear for you to kiss it. But they also do not so cute things. One day Therese was brought to a house of another young child to play. And when Therese saw the toys this young girl was playing with, she went over and greedily took away the toys. You just imagine the scene; two girls tugging at the toys and crying. My sister reflected to me later how interesting that at such a young and innocent age, greed shows up. She laughed away such behavior. As a mother she believed in the goodness of her child. She knew that this was only one of many virtues that needed to be shaped over the course of Therese’ life. She knew it’s not going to happen immediately. Punishing Therese severely at this time may not be the best medicine for her. So patience is one of the hallmarks of a good parent.
We can see the virtue of patience also in God the Father. Let’s take this example. Fr. John Corapi is a popular speaker and confessor well televised throughout US. You can see his testimony on the YouTube if you type Father John Corapi. In the 1970s, then John Corapi was in LA trying his hands in the real estate boom which made him a millionaire. With money came fast-lane living style; fast-lane meant also a dark living style. Soon he developed a $10,000-a-week cocaine habit and lost all of his money and ended up in the streets as a homeless beggar. He was in such darkness. At that time he cried out to God, 'If you are real, and I don't know if you are, you need to rescue me now.’ He ended up going back to his mother who lived in New York. She had prayed rosary for him for a long time, and the mother’s prayer was answered. John Corapi went to confession for the first time in 20 years and confided to the priest that he felt he was called to the priesthood. To which the confessor replied incredulously, “I guess for God anything is possible.” He went on to join a religious order, receive two doctorates in theology in Rome, and was ordained by Pope John Paul II. Fr. John Corapi’s journey is a showcase of God’s patience in its finest. If you met John Corapi as a homeless drug addict, would you had the heart to trust in his goodness, to forgive his faults, and the patience to guide him to become who he was truly meant to be?
But that’s the kind of Father God is. If we want to truly understand today’s parable of the Weeds in the Field, we need to be able to see this parable from the Father’s loving gaze toward his beloved child, who is us. He is a Father who trusts in the goodness of his child, always forgives our faults, and waits patiently as he guides us. Some of us think that when we stray away from God, we are a lost cause. Some parents come to me exasperated that their children have strayed away from the Church, living a life that is not worthy of being Christian. The hearts of the parents are pierced when their child stray and suffer. That is even more so for God the Father. His heart is even more burning and yearning for his child to return. Yet our God the Father trusts as my sister trusted in the goodness of her daughter, and our God the Father waits patiently as he did with Fr. Corapi. Our task is to learn to see ourselves from God the Father’s loving gaze.
We can see the virtue of patience also in God the Father. Let’s take this example. Fr. John Corapi is a popular speaker and confessor well televised throughout US. You can see his testimony on the YouTube if you type Father John Corapi. In the 1970s, then John Corapi was in LA trying his hands in the real estate boom which made him a millionaire. With money came fast-lane living style; fast-lane meant also a dark living style. Soon he developed a $10,000-a-week cocaine habit and lost all of his money and ended up in the streets as a homeless beggar. He was in such darkness. At that time he cried out to God, 'If you are real, and I don't know if you are, you need to rescue me now.’ He ended up going back to his mother who lived in New York. She had prayed rosary for him for a long time, and the mother’s prayer was answered. John Corapi went to confession for the first time in 20 years and confided to the priest that he felt he was called to the priesthood. To which the confessor replied incredulously, “I guess for God anything is possible.” He went on to join a religious order, receive two doctorates in theology in Rome, and was ordained by Pope John Paul II. Fr. John Corapi’s journey is a showcase of God’s patience in its finest. If you met John Corapi as a homeless drug addict, would you had the heart to trust in his goodness, to forgive his faults, and the patience to guide him to become who he was truly meant to be?
But that’s the kind of Father God is. If we want to truly understand today’s parable of the Weeds in the Field, we need to be able to see this parable from the Father’s loving gaze toward his beloved child, who is us. He is a Father who trusts in the goodness of his child, always forgives our faults, and waits patiently as he guides us. Some of us think that when we stray away from God, we are a lost cause. Some parents come to me exasperated that their children have strayed away from the Church, living a life that is not worthy of being Christian. The hearts of the parents are pierced when their child stray and suffer. That is even more so for God the Father. His heart is even more burning and yearning for his child to return. Yet our God the Father trusts as my sister trusted in the goodness of her daughter, and our God the Father waits patiently as he did with Fr. Corapi. Our task is to learn to see ourselves from God the Father’s loving gaze.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
July 18, 2008 Friday of Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time (A)
Catechesis on Sanctus
We heard the term, ‘oldie but goodie.’ My mom still owns GE Iron that still works very well that she bought from an American surplus store in Korea 38 years ago. Now there are irons that have steam, automatic shutoff, and other bells and whistles. But you have to admit, irons these days don’t last as long as those made long ago like ones my mom owns.
What I’m wearing today is an ‘oldie but goodie’ too. It’s called a gothic chasuble. It’s design is traditional with X-shaped cross. It’s called St. Andrew’s cross; it’s by tradition that St. Andrew was crucified on an X-form of cross. Wearing of the chasuble in the church goes back before the 6th Century. Over the years, styles have changed, but the basic meaning has stayed the same. Spiritually, the chasuble reminds the priest of the charity of Christ: "Over all these virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect" (Col 3:14). The former vesting prayer was "O Lord, Who hast said, ‘My yoke is sweet and My burden light,’ grant that I may so carry it as to merit Thy grace."
I’ll give you another example of an “oldie but goodie.” During daily mass at the point of Holy Holy Holy, instead of saying out loud in English form of “Holy Holy Holy,” I have been chanting, “Sanctus ,Sanctus, Sanctus.” I’ve been doing that for two reasons. First, by chanting or singing, we are praying twice. Secondly, the moment of “Holy, Holy, Holy” is a moment of profound supernatural mystery, and the Latin chant enables us to enter into that indescribable mystery.
The mystery is described in our gospel today. Jesus says to the Pharisees, “I say to you, something greater than the temple is here… For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.” (Matt 12:7-8) Who is this man who is greater than the temple? The first part of the Sanctus (Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.) is adapted from Isaiah 6:3, which describes the prophet Isaiah's vision of the throne of God surrounded by six-winged, ministering seraphim. A similar representation may be found in Revelation 4:8. “I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two they veiled their feet, and with two they hovered aloft. "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!" they cried one to the other. "All the earth is filled with his glory!"
The text of the second part, beginning with the words, ‘Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis’, is taken from Matthew 21:9, describing Jesus' Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The Latin chant is trying to capture the mystery of all of us transported to heaven where seraphim, angels, and saints are bowing down before the Lamb of God whom we will be bowing before very shortly after ‘Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus’ is sung.
Friday, July 11, 2008
July 13, 2008: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Have you ever waited in line for something? Waiting in line is not one of our virtues as Americans. We get impatient at Walmart or Costco when the checkout counter has more than 3 persons in line. Why can’t they open other 20 checkout counters, we say. Sometimes, though, we can wait in line for long-long time without complaining. That’s only when what we are waiting for is worth the wait. Take for example couple of days ago. There were lines of people waiting outside all the AT&T and Apple stores across our nation. Some people arrived 2 AM with their lawn chairs outside the stores. Now where was I at 2 AM this Friday? Yes, I went to the AT&T store on Friday, but not at 2 AM. I got there at 7 PM, and as expected they were sold out as early as noon that day. Was I disappointed? Yes. Did I cry over it? No. On CNN I saw interviews with the folks waiting in line for hours. They seemed very excited, even when they waited over 6 hours in line without sleep. Is iPhone that life changing or even life giving? I don’t know, may be I should ask my pastor who has one.
But here is something to think about. When I got to the church today to unlock the doors, I didn’t see long lines of people eagerly and excitedly waiting for the doors to open. In our Second Reading, St. Paul tells the Romans, “Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God.” I’m sure St. Paul is talking about the pain of waiting in line for iPhone is nothing compared with the glory of owning the new iPhone 3G. Am I right? No? You can substitute iPhone for any other things that you want to have or own. And still St. Paul is not talking about those. So what is St. Paul talking about? He must be talking about someone whom we have been waiting from the very beginning, the one who is worth waiting for a long, long time. Forget waiting 6 hours outside AT&T store; this someone is worth waiting from the very beginning of time. Who is this? It is Jesus, Word of God made flesh who is proclaimed right here at mass and who comes to us literally flesh and blood in the Eucharist. If Jesus is that important, why is there not a line outside the church? Is iPhone greater than Jesus? Jesus himself gives the explanation in today’s gospel.
He says in the parable of the sower, “The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Jesus says our hearts are filled with desire for things that give no life or nourishment. In other words we are willing to wait in line for empty calories, but not for true nourishing feast. One practical thing we can do to prepare a rich soil is to read ahead the gospel for the Sunday. If we can wait in line for 6 hours without complaining for an iPhone, we can certainly spend 15 minutes in reflection on the gospel and the Eucharist we will receive at the Sunday mass.
But here is something to think about. When I got to the church today to unlock the doors, I didn’t see long lines of people eagerly and excitedly waiting for the doors to open. In our Second Reading, St. Paul tells the Romans, “Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God.” I’m sure St. Paul is talking about the pain of waiting in line for iPhone is nothing compared with the glory of owning the new iPhone 3G. Am I right? No? You can substitute iPhone for any other things that you want to have or own. And still St. Paul is not talking about those. So what is St. Paul talking about? He must be talking about someone whom we have been waiting from the very beginning, the one who is worth waiting for a long, long time. Forget waiting 6 hours outside AT&T store; this someone is worth waiting from the very beginning of time. Who is this? It is Jesus, Word of God made flesh who is proclaimed right here at mass and who comes to us literally flesh and blood in the Eucharist. If Jesus is that important, why is there not a line outside the church? Is iPhone greater than Jesus? Jesus himself gives the explanation in today’s gospel.
He says in the parable of the sower, “The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Jesus says our hearts are filled with desire for things that give no life or nourishment. In other words we are willing to wait in line for empty calories, but not for true nourishing feast. One practical thing we can do to prepare a rich soil is to read ahead the gospel for the Sunday. If we can wait in line for 6 hours without complaining for an iPhone, we can certainly spend 15 minutes in reflection on the gospel and the Eucharist we will receive at the Sunday mass.
Friday, July 4, 2008
July 4, 2008 Friday: Independence Day (A)
If I were to ask you to describe what Independence Day is about in less than two words, what would they be? I would say freedom and independence. The question is freedom and independence from what? If we are freed or made independent from something, what are we now free to embrace? To make sense of these heady concepts, I’m going to use a high school graduate?a freshman in college--who just moved into LSU dormitory as an analogy. This freshman while he was in high school was under his parents’ house rules: curfew at 10 PM, no alcohol, achieve at least B+ grade point average, call parents and let them know where you are. Does this mean that this new LSU freshman is freed from all these rules and regulations? There are two ways to see this. These rules may be viewed as oppressive and unnecessary. Then the day you arrived at LSU was the Independence Day from parents and their rules. But another perspective is that these rules were tools to form you, to help you discipline yourself to be the best person that you can be; they are like training wheels on a bicycle. So the day you no longer need the training wheels, is the day that you have made these rules part of who you are. In the six years of my seminary formation, I was disciplined to pray at least two hours, to attend daily mass, to study scripture and theology, and to serve others. Would you want a newly ordained priest to do away with all these self-disciplines once he graduates the seminary? No. You want to see a priest who freely embraces prayer, study of the scripture, and holiness.
Likewise, if we have graduated from our high school religion classes or our confirmation class, it does not mean that we do away with all the spiritual disciplines we were taught in those classes. Whether we just got confirmed or were confirmed 20 years ago, our responsibilities remain the same. In the Book of Revelation we hear angels and saints sing the following song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9) St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:20). Our freedom and independence were won at a great price. On our Declaration of Independence--that is our day of baptism--we have declared that we would live a holy life worthy of newly born sons and daughters of God the Father.
Likewise, if we have graduated from our high school religion classes or our confirmation class, it does not mean that we do away with all the spiritual disciplines we were taught in those classes. Whether we just got confirmed or were confirmed 20 years ago, our responsibilities remain the same. In the Book of Revelation we hear angels and saints sing the following song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9) St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:20). Our freedom and independence were won at a great price. On our Declaration of Independence--that is our day of baptism--we have declared that we would live a holy life worthy of newly born sons and daughters of God the Father.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
July 2, 2008: Wednesday, 13th Week Ordinary (A)
Sometimes when we do something completely out of the ordinary, our friends say, “What possessed you to do that?” It’s not that we’ve been taken over by the demons like the two men in our gospels today. What our friends are really trying to say is that we are not acting like ourselves. Although our modern world has relegated Satan and demons to the realm of fantasy fiction, our Church has continuously affirmed their existence and their influence on our world and us. The Catechism of Catholic Church states that,
“(#394) …"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." … (#395) The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature- to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him."
Even St. Ignatius of Loyola had to deal with the real demons and Satan on his journey to form the Society of Jesus. He learned from his experience in dealing with Satan and his demons that the enemy was much more cunning and sly. That’s why he came up with the rules for discernment of spirits. Discernment of spirits is a term given to the judgment whereby to determine whether our impulse of the moment is driven by the Holy Spirit, our own affections and emotions, or by the evil spirits.
First Rule. In the persons who go from mortal sin to mortal sin, the enemy is commonly used to propose to them apparent pleasures, making them imagine sensual delights and pleasures in order to hold them more and make them grow in their vices and sins. In these persons the good spirit uses the opposite method, pricking them and biting their consciences through the process of reason.
Second Rule. In the persons who are going on intensely cleansing their sins and rising from good to better in the service of God our Lord, it is the method contrary to that in the first Rule, for then it is the way of the evil spirit to bite, sadden and put obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, that one may not go on; and it is proper to the good to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations and quiet, easing, and putting away all obstacles, that one may go on in well doing.
I encourage you to study more about St. Ignatius of Loyola.
“(#394) …"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." … (#395) The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature- to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him."
Even St. Ignatius of Loyola had to deal with the real demons and Satan on his journey to form the Society of Jesus. He learned from his experience in dealing with Satan and his demons that the enemy was much more cunning and sly. That’s why he came up with the rules for discernment of spirits. Discernment of spirits is a term given to the judgment whereby to determine whether our impulse of the moment is driven by the Holy Spirit, our own affections and emotions, or by the evil spirits.
First Rule. In the persons who go from mortal sin to mortal sin, the enemy is commonly used to propose to them apparent pleasures, making them imagine sensual delights and pleasures in order to hold them more and make them grow in their vices and sins. In these persons the good spirit uses the opposite method, pricking them and biting their consciences through the process of reason.
Second Rule. In the persons who are going on intensely cleansing their sins and rising from good to better in the service of God our Lord, it is the method contrary to that in the first Rule, for then it is the way of the evil spirit to bite, sadden and put obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, that one may not go on; and it is proper to the good to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations and quiet, easing, and putting away all obstacles, that one may go on in well doing.
I encourage you to study more about St. Ignatius of Loyola.
July 1, 2008: Tuesday of 13th Week of Ordinary (A)
We can do some irrational things when we are afraid. When there is a looming fear, we have a tendency to rush into things, often making poor choices. You see on the news many people die in some rock concerts or soccer games because there was panic running through the people.
Today in the Gospel, a panic runs through the disciples when they encounter a raging storm in the sea while they are aboard a boat with Jesus. While Jesus was sleeping, they came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
In the face of fear, St. Ignatius of Loyola offers us Jesus’ approach to dealing with fear. First of all, Ignatius says never change the course of action when you are faced with fear or overwhelming sense to rush into things. In the seminary, spiritual directors use this rule to calm seminarians who are suddenly convinced that they need to get out of the seminary. The same applies to priests, married couples, and those who have made major commitments after long discernment. If we already have made a life-long commitment before God, such as religious vows or marriage vows, will it likely be the Holy Spirit who is encouraging us to change the course? Or will it more likely be our own overwhelming sense of fear or from the suggestion of the evil one. Certainly we will face seemingly difficult challenges like what the disciples faced in the raging storm. But when we have already invited Jesus to help us with keeping our commitments, he will not be sleeping. If you or those around you are in this situation, the advice is to seek a friend, a priest, or a spiritual director who can help calm the waters before rushing into decision.
Today in the Gospel, a panic runs through the disciples when they encounter a raging storm in the sea while they are aboard a boat with Jesus. While Jesus was sleeping, they came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
In the face of fear, St. Ignatius of Loyola offers us Jesus’ approach to dealing with fear. First of all, Ignatius says never change the course of action when you are faced with fear or overwhelming sense to rush into things. In the seminary, spiritual directors use this rule to calm seminarians who are suddenly convinced that they need to get out of the seminary. The same applies to priests, married couples, and those who have made major commitments after long discernment. If we already have made a life-long commitment before God, such as religious vows or marriage vows, will it likely be the Holy Spirit who is encouraging us to change the course? Or will it more likely be our own overwhelming sense of fear or from the suggestion of the evil one. Certainly we will face seemingly difficult challenges like what the disciples faced in the raging storm. But when we have already invited Jesus to help us with keeping our commitments, he will not be sleeping. If you or those around you are in this situation, the advice is to seek a friend, a priest, or a spiritual director who can help calm the waters before rushing into decision.
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