Blog Archives

Just Show Up

2/11/2019

As I prepare to write this article for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, I find myself thinking about conversion and change—something Fr. Kevin spoke about in his homily this past weekend. He talked about how the anger of the people toward Jesus and Jeremiah was because of the prophetic call to change our hearts—and change, acceptance of the new, and reconciliation are so hard for all of us. It makes many people angry-like those who wanted to throw Jesus from the cliff.

I watched the Super Bowl with my husband Jim, yesterday—something I never would have done a few short years ago—it just goes to show how much one can change…when they really want to, or for a good reason… I never could stand (or understand) football—now I can appreciate the expertise and commitment of the athletes’ work and abilities—the practice it takes to be some of the best at what they do. (If only I could get Jim to love opera as much as I do…)

Today is about the call of conversion. We hear Isaiah receive his call from God and his response is: “Here I am, send me!” We hear the Gospel story in which Jesus invites his disciples to become “fishers of men.” They leave all things they have and follow Him. In hearing these two readings we have the opportunity to compare our own response to the call of God. I think the start of answering any call is all about just showing up: a few years ago I made myself sit with my husband and watch a game I wasn’t interested in, started to learn about the game, enjoyed the company and ended up having a good time and looking forward to the next game we would share.

I guess the point of conversion and change is that the first step is to just show up.

Every day we are given the opportunity to get in the “game” of our faith—by just showing up! You might be surprised to find the game interesting, enjoy sharing it with others and actually end up looking forward to the next one. This is real conversion and change. As you listen to the “call” story today, consider it your personal ticket to the “game”—our faith—and you might be surprised by how much is won by simply showing up. Our faith and our response is the super bowl of salvation, and it may just be about showing up and then getting into—participating—in the game. See you in Church!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

All Human Life Is a Gift

2/4/2019

“O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet gentle care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.”

Substance abuse; the fear and despair that leads to suicide; abortion and the nearby presence of Planned Parenthood; abandonment of elders.

This array of follies; these assaults to our dignity, are dispiriting, but we have on our side the Gospel and our prayers. There is always hope in Christ! Hope is the desire of something with the expectation of attaining it. Through our prayers, witness, and practical endeavors supporting life, our desires can lead to attaining better protection of all human life - and the promotion of its dignity - from conception to natural death.

What follows is a list of resources that you can draw on and share with others as you support life. Of your charity, do what you can to support these organizations in their efforts.

David J. Conrad

Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition
We have a mission to educate and empower the community regarding the health and safety of our young people with a focus on alcohol and other drugs. The coalition includes parents, teens, educators, health care workers, law enforcement, the faith community, and substance abuse professionals. All interested community members are welcome to join us. http://www.livoniasaveouryouth.org

1st Way Life Center
1st Way pregnancy service centers are located throughout the United States where any girl or woman with an unplanned pregnancy may find help as near as her telephone. It is a person-to-person operation based on the belief that no problem is so great that it warrants destruction of innocent life. http://1stwaylifecenter.com

Mary's Mantle
Mary’s Mantle is a residential program rooted in the Catholic faith. The home is designed to accommodate four expectant mothers at a time who are at least eighteen years old, regardless of their religious affiliation. Mary’s Mantle is a safe haven where expectant mothers can fully realize their potential as children of a loving God. http://marysmantle.net

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
The mission of SAVE is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide. https://save.org

Text 741741
When you are feeling depressed or suicidal, a crisis worker will text you back immediately and continue to text with you! Many people, especially younger people, don't like talking on the phone and would feel much more comfortable texting, the idea is for you to talk (text) with some one who will listen, understand and not judge you. This is a free service for anyone. https://www.crisistextline.org

The Jerome Lejeune Foundation USA
The mission of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation USA is to provide research, care, and advocacy for people with genetic intellectual disabilities. This is achieved by conducting, promoting, and funding therapeutically oriented research; by assisting in the development of healthcare services; and by serving as an advocate in a spirit of respect for the dignity of all human persons. https://lejeunefoundation.org

Senior Citizen Services
Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. https://ccsem.org/senior-citizen-services/

In Love We Choose to Live

2/1/2019

Today, this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear in both the First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah and the Gospel of Luke, about how difficult it is to be a prophet. Both Jeremiah and Jesus suffer at the hands of the people closest to them—the Communities in which they live and preach and teach.

The Gospel of Luke today begins with the same words of Jesus that ended last week’s Gospel reading: “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” The story picks up with their amazement at His Words, and yet as we know, “familiarity breeds contempt” for Jesus’ neighbors: “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” No one likes to hear the truth if it doesn’t match with their own vision of how things are. No matter how inspired His words and actions are, they don’t want to change; people don’t want to change and admit that change is needed and necessary. They look for reasons and justifications not to change and not to listen: Jesus is just the son of the local carpenter.

The Second Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians is about the way to live that Christ brings to us all. It is a plan, a diagram—a recipe--for living a life in Christ. Every action and all our speech must be expressed as love, since “love never fails.” This familiar reading (often read at weddings), is a blue print for how to be like Jesus. “Love is patient, love is kind…” If we were all to follow these directions of St. Paul, what a different world it would be: no polarization, no division, no greed and selfishness, no marginalization and tribalism and racism—a life lived in which you would treat others as you would expect to be treated—a life of love in action. Hard to envision, but one can hope (and pray).

The people of the synagogue chose to rise up in rage at Jesus, and they drive Him from the town and lead Him to the brow of the hill in order to kill Him. Before long, we know that the Sanhedrin will also rise up and lead Jesus to Pilate, and then to the top of the hill named Calvary. We see deadly choices both times—people who do not choose for love—but who choose for evil, for their personal glory, for their own selfish perspective.

Jesus Himself ultimately makes a choice, too: He chooses death, He accepts His fate and the path for our salvation on a cross in order to save us from ourselves! By His sacrifice He chooses love to drive away hatred and evil, selfishness and sin. He chooses to be raised up so that we will also be raised on the last day—and in love asks the Father to forgive us.

In our lives we also have a choice. (Actually, we are our choices.) Do we choose to live the “recipe” of love? Or do we take Jesus to the brow of the hill yet again? My advice would be the same as St. Paul’s: Set Your Heart on the Higher Gifts! Remember We Have Been Told that by our Baptism it is In Love We Choose to Live! So Be Not Afraid to Stand Up for Jesus!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Just Show Up

All Human Life Is a Gift

In Love We Choose to Live

Authors

Archives

Categories