life and death situations

We had a funeral this morning for Godlieve Jackson, who was 91. As we gathered in prayer at the altar, I was reminded that she was one more witness who has given me a clearer sense of God's love. That's the most important activity we could ever participate in. And we each have our unique way of doing that. She was suffering in many ways, and yet, at least to me, she imaged a face of Christ both patient and kind. How awesome that she could, in the midst of pain, confusion and lack of sight, be an image of peace. Would that we all did so.

Lullaby, and ... good morning!

When we see a newborn, we see opportunity, hope, potentiality. At this point in his or her life, it seems that nothing is outside of the realm of possibility. We can live vicariously for a bit, wondering how things would have gone differently in our lives if... But the difference in today's feast is that John hadn't even been born yet and was already living out his life's call. Pointing out the Savior; heralding His advent. Even the wonderful and beautiful and untainted are intended by God to be lifted to higher heights, even before they're born. May we never be satisfied with less than the divine.

Are you green, ripe or rotten?

By their fruits... Sure, we've heard the words, but how ought we to employ them? Remember the adage about the duck - if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and looks like a duck, it must be a duck. However, since we're also supposed to be careful not to judge, how does this work? The key is in how our heart processes the information. If we see someone acting in a way other than Gospel charity, we still have the obligation to love them. We then have the obligation to help them lovingly. But we have the obligation to heed others' words of challenge when we act in harmful ways, as well. May we cultivate the Lord's garden to produce ripe and healthy hearts.

Let your conscience be your guide

The 1500s were tumultuous. But sometimes difficult times lead to amazing spiritual growth. When Henry VIII divorced his wife Catherine in favor of Anne Boleyn, and when the requested annulment was denied, St. Thomas More was caught in the middle. St. Thomas and many others were made to offer a public approval of the new and invalid marriage, yet he and a handful of others (including St. John Fisher, the bishop of Rochester at the time) could not in good conscience do so. This resulted in a trial for treason and a sentence of death. Who would challenge that one's conscience ought to be followed? That said, we have to be careful that our consciences, our interior moral guides, are properly formed.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Today is the feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a particularly remarkable saint for today's climate. He died when he was only 23 and hadn't done much in the eyes of the world. His family discouraged his aspirations toward the priesthood, and, when he insisted on joining the Jesuits, even steered him in the direction of the diocesan priesthood so he didn't have to renounce his worldly belongings. We can learn from this young man, who showed his keen love for the Lord early in life by taking a private vow of chastity at the age of nine. May our hearts be as completely consumed with desire for our Lord.