Displaying items by tag: Celebrating At Home

Invitation to dinner
(Luke 14:1, 7-14)

It’s no accident that the Gospels contain many instances of shared meals, weddings feasts and miraculous feeding. In the Scriptures, meals always have something to do with the great meal – the eternal wedding feast.

We celebrate the sacred meal of the Eucharist anticipating the eternal feast of continual communion with God.

In this Gospel episode, Jesus has been invited to a meal at the home of a leading Pharisee. Luke tells us that they watched Jesus closely. No doubt, they are trying to make up their minds about him and his teaching.

Jesus, too, is watching closely and observes how those at the meal readily chose the places of honour for themselves. The fact that Luke calls the words of Jesus a ‘parable’ alerts us to the fact that this is more than just good advice about how to avoid embarrassment at a dinner party in the ancient world.

It turns out that the parable is about the feast in the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom the usual conventions of this world are completely reversed, such that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted; the last will be first, and the first last.

It is not wealth, power and social status that gains us a high place at the eternal feast, but the good treatment (humble service) of the most disadvantaged. Being hospitable to the poor and disadvantaged now gains a person the only welcome that truly matters: the welcome into the everlasting hospitality of God.

The true disciple acts towards others with the same largeness of heart as God. Humility enables us to be open to God’s heart, and gentleness is the way of imitating his love.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (3.14 MB)
• default Celebrating At Home - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (4.39 MB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 22 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (574 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - XXII Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (574 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Família - 22 Domingo do Tempo Comum (576 KB)

The narrow door
(Luke 13:22-30)

It is a horrible feeling to find yourself locked out of home. It can instil panic. What will I do now? It is even worse if those inside won’t let you in, or even recognise you. Worse still if the house is full of strangers. 

There is no mistaking the sense of warning in this passage of Luke’s Gospel. 

Over the last few weeks, the gospel has presented Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem and his teaching about how to live our lives as disciples and the hard choices involved. The readings this week continue in this vein and point to the difficulty in being authentic to God and being prepared. If we are not properly prepared, whoever we are, we will not see the Kingdom of God – remember the phrases of recent Gospel readings: ‘stand ready’, ‘lamps lit’, ‘dressed for action’. 

Jesus’ teaching in the towns and villages sparks a sense that things are nearing a climax. This provokes the question about how many will be saved. Jesus refuses to speculate about numbers, instead turning the question into a warning not to miss the opportunity while it is still available. Otherwise, a person may very well find themselves locked outside.

Through what Jesus will accomplish in Jerusalem, all will have the opportunity to be part of his kingdom. He will open the door.
Being a disciple is not about following Christ in name only. Our relationship with Jesus is not gained by casual acquaintance with his words and actions but by thoroughgoing conversion (repentance) – the ‘narrow gate’. So, we need to honestly and purposefully attempt to live out our humanity, social concerns and faith through action and prayer, in the light of Christ, in his spirit and according to his teaching. 

The disciple can only share fully in the life of Christ through true conversion of heart - that’s the ‘narrow door’ through which we enter the Kingdom, our true home.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - 21th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (3.23 MB)
• default Celebrating At Home - 21th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (3.96 MB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 21 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (822 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - XXI Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (822 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Família - 21 Domingo do Tempo Comum (835 KB)

The Prophet’s anguish
(Luke 12:49-53)

Sometimes we can be overwhelmed by life. Feelings of fear, uncertainty and anxiety bubble away beneath the surface. Sometimes, those feelings reach the surface in an explosion of words and actions.

In this Gospel passage we encounter the startling image of Jesus in distress and anguish over his mission and what he is yet to face. His statement that he, the Prince of Peace, has not come to bring peace, but division, is confronting.
Right at the beginning of this passage, Jesus says he has come to bring fire to the earth and wishes it were blazing already. The ‘fire’ Jesus talks about is the fire of the Holy Spirit; the fire that melts away all that is not of God. But the Holy Spirit won’t be given until after Jesus has faced and endured his destiny (passion and death) in Jerusalem. Perhaps we, who now live with the presence of the Spirit, need to ask, ‘What has yet to be melted away so that only the real presence of God remains in us, purified of greed, ambition, selfishness, and so on? We could also ask, ‘Where is the passion of God in my life?’

Jesus also speaks about a ‘baptism’ he must yet receive. It is not the sacrament of baptism he means. ‘Baptism’ was a biblical word used to describe turbulent and potentially overwhelming events which, like a roiling sea, threaten to engulf us. Again, it is a reference to his approaching suffering and death. Jesus is distressed and clearly wishes it was already over.

Following from last Sunday’s Gospel, the disciple is called not only to stand ready and stay faithful to his employment (call), but also to stand firm in the face of opposition. Peace is not to be won at any price (e.g. compromising God’s word).

Christians should never expect that discipleship makes life easy. Far from delivering us from the difficulties of life, our discipleship is more inclined to plunge us into the difficult and confronting issues which affect us and those around us. There will be division and discord an account of the Word that is preached and the values that we hold – sometimes even among those who are closest to us.

To share Jesus’ baptism is to share with him in his passion and resurrection. It carries significant responsibilities (remaining faithful to God’s word) and sometimes means that we are misunderstood or even punished for meeting those responsibilities.

To follow Jesus is to speak God’s word, in what we say and in our actions.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (3.07 MB)
• default Celebrating At Home - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (3.94 MB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 20 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (558 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - XX Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (558 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Família - 20 Domingo do Tempo Comum (560 KB)

Being prepared,
remaining faithful
(Luke 12:35-39)

Sometimes in life we find ourselves captivated by a particular cause or project and devote great enthusiasm and passion to it. As time goes on, however, we can find that our enthusiasm fades and our passion cools. Other things begin to take priority.

Like last week’s Gospel, being prepared and remaining faithful is the focus of this week’s Gospel passage. Storing up treasure in the sight of God is good preparation. Hoarding your possessions into ever bigger barns is not.

To stand ready is to be open to the Lord’s coming. Being dressed for action with lamps lit and ready to open the door to him, is the antidote to focussing too much on material possessions, status and power.

The faithful servants who are ready when the master returns are remarkably blessed by the master who will, himself, sit them down and wait on them. A classic reversal of traditional roles.

Luke’s community (and other early Christians) were slowly growing used to the idea that the second coming of Jesus, which they had felt would happen ‘any day now’, seemed to be delayed. Problems were emerging in the community as officials and others seemed to be ‘going off the boil’. Hence, the words about ‘standing ready’, ‘busy at his employment’, ‘having lamps lit’ and being ‘dressed for action’.

The parable about the servants is a call to remain faithful and in a state of readiness for the master’s return.

The parable begs the question, ‘How are the disciples to behave between the two comings of Jesus?’ Like homeowners, we need to be alert and on the lookout for the presence of Jesus.

While the text is about the final return of Jesus, we can also think about being alert and watchful for the moments when the presence of Jesus suddenly breaks into our lives - in a sick friend, a beggar on the street, a person in need, a moment of prayer or reflection.

As believers we want to do everything we can to build up the community, the living Body of Christ in our world, and allow the Gospel to transform our lives – which is seen in our closeness to God and in good actions which serve others.

• Celebrating At Home - pdf 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (2.98 MB)
• Celebrating At Home - default 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (2.41 MB)
• Celebrando en Familia - pdf 19 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (761 KB)
• Celebrando in Casa - pdf XIX Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (614 KB)
• Celebrando em FamÍlia - pdf 19 Domingo do Tempo Comum (757 KB)

12 August Optional Memorial

Bl. Isidore Bakanja, a member of the Boangi tribe, was born in Bokendela (Congo) between 1880 and 1890. In order to survive, even as a boy, he had to work as bricklayer or in farms. He was converted to Christianity in 1906.

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False security
(Luke 12:13-21)

All too often we are made aware of the vulnerability and uncertainty of life.

Things can suddenly change. We don’t know what will happen today, tomorrow or even in a few moments’ time. Such experiences can make us profoundly anxious, and we look for ways to protect ourselves and what we own against life’s adverse events. It is not only a problem for wealthy people like the rich man in the Gospel today. It can be a problem for all of us. We seem to have an instinctive need to build a sense of security by amassing goods and wealth.

A strong focus in the Luke’s Gospel is that nothing is more destructive of life and humanity than the need to acquire, hold on to and increase wealth.

The problem is not the riches we possess but that our need to possess them gets in the way of our relationship with God, our only true security. That same need also gets in the way of our concern for others. We become reluctant to share what we have in case we may need it one day.

In many ways the Gospel is about the fundamental orientation of a disciple’s life - do we live for ourselves and our possessions, or for God and the Kingdom? Do we own our possessions, or do they own us? What do we value most in life? 

Thirsting after material things distorts us, narrows our focus and corrupts our moral sense. As disciples of Jesus, we try to keep God at the centre of our lives. In Baptism and Confirmation we pledge ourselves to be willing workers with God in making God’s dreams and hopes for us all a reality.

A successful life in God’s eyes is not about storing up material treasure for ourselves (the parable of the rich man in this Sunday’s Gospel) but about being a source of real treasure for others (the servant parable in next Sunday’s Gospel). Quite often, the prayers of the Mass ask God to help us to use wisely the good things of the earth.

God’s wisdom always directs us towards using who we are and what we have to enrich the lives of others. 

Living according to the heart of God helps us keep all things in their right order and opens us up to God’s wider vision of reality.

• Celebrating At Home -  pdf 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (2.86 MB)
• Celebrating At Home -  default 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (1.85 MB)
• Celebrando en Familia -  pdf 18 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (566 KB)
• Celebrando in Casa -  pdf XVIII Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (565 KB)

The hospitality of God
(Luke 11:1-13)

Many people struggle with a name for God. For some, ‘Father’ is fine. For others, the image of God as Father evokes traumatic memories of their childhood experience of pain, suffering, neglect and even abuse.

Alternatively, some prefer terms like, ‘Creator’, ‘Redeemer’, and ‘Sanctifier’. But these terms describe functions, not persons, and they seem to lack the warmth and intimacy that we intuitively feel marks our relationship with God.

In today’s Gospel, one of the disciples, having seen Jesus at prayer, asks him to teach them. The prayer that Jesus teaches them is probably very close what he, himself, prayed.

The prayer has none of the formality of those used in Temple and Synagogue worship. Instead, it begins with a more informal, warm and intimate addressing of God as ‘Abba’ - not as formal as ‘Father’ and not as childish as ‘Daddy’, but somewhere in between.

However we choose to name God, the term we use needs to have the same sense as ‘Abba’ had for Jesus. The disciples also live in the same warm and intimate relationship which God and Jesus share. And it is out of this relationship as members of God’s household that Jesus teaches them to pray.

The focus of the prayer is initially on God alone (‘may your name be held holy’), then moves to what the world needs (‘your kingdom come’), then to what the disciples need (sustenance, forgiveness and rescue from trial, persecution and temptation).
A community which prays this prayer recognises its privileged closeness to God. But it also recognises that the hospitality of God calls the whole human race into this same closeness experienced as the coming of the Kingdom.

The shamelessly persistent knocking on a friend’s door is an encouragement not to be afraid to continually ask God for what we need to live as members of the kingdom. God will not fail to share God’s life and love through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If human beings, as flawed as we are, know how to give good things to our children, then how much more will the loving and gracious God give the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who ask? The Holy Spirit who is the bond of love between God, Jesus and us - the Holy Spirit who helps us sense and experience that we are deeply enfolded in God’s love, care and concern.

• Celebrating At Home -  pdf 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (2.92 MB)
• Celebrating At Home -  default 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (2.67 MB)
• Celebrando en Familia -  pdf 17 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (586 KB)
• Celebrando in Casa -  pdf XVII Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (586 KB)
• Celebrando em Família -  pdf 17 Domingo do Tempo Comum (586 KB)

True hospitality
(Luke 10:38-42)

Preparing food for a special occasion or a valued guest can be a daunting task. These days, it can also be filled with all sorts of traps as food preferences continue to change and various allergies appear.

In the story which Luke tells in this Gospel, it is obvious that Martha has gone to a great deal of trouble to welcome and provide for Jesus, the guest.

Pre-occupied with the serving and annoyed with Mary passively sitting at Jesus’ feet, Martha’s anxiety gets the better of her and she asks Jesus to intervene. 

In a way, Martha is like a well-intentioned host who prepares a full dinner of roast meat only to find that the guest is vegetarian! Perhaps true hospitality might have found that out before the meal was prepared. Perhaps true hospitality might have thought about what the guest has to offer, not only about what the host wants to provide.

So often in the Gospels the initial roles in a story get reversed. In this Gospel it seems that Jesus, the guest, has something to offer that Martha overlooks, but Mary recognises. Jesus becomes the host. And it is he who ends up doing the ‘feeding’, not Martha.

And, what of Mary? Apparently lost in listening to Jesus and oblivious to Martha’s need for help? It seems all wrong to us that Jesus praises her for choosing ‘the better part’. Jesus refuses to send Mary back to the kitchen. His reply can also be read as an invitation for Martha to leave her lavish preparations and to join them.

True hospitality for the disciple lies in getting to know and spending time with the Guest.

The position of this story in Luke’s Gospel, sandwiched between the parable of the Good Samaritan (the ideal disciple) and Jesus’ teaching about prayer, could suggest that both are needed – deep attention to the Word of God and robust action: hearing and doing the Word.

It could also suggest that hearing the Word comes first, followed by doing the Word in works of service. It may also suggest the importance of paying attention to making the right choice at any given moment – not to be so caught up in doing even good works that we forget to nourish our relationship with Jesus.

What it does clearly show, however, is that both men and women are called to discipleship.

Mary, the more marginalised figure in the story, offers the kind of hospitality that Jesus wants in a disciple: an open and listening heart.

• Celebrating At Home -  pdf 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (3.10 MB)
• Celebrating At Home -  default 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (3.96 MB)
• Celebrando en Familia -  pdf 16 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (638 KB)
• Celebrando in Casa -  pdf XVI Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (632 KB)
• Celebrando em Família -  pdf 16 Domingo do Tempo Comum (467 KB)

Towards a love beyond labels
(Luke 10:25-37)

Pope Francis says society creates “an adjective culture” that prefers to immediately label people as good or bad. Jesus, he says, breaks the mentality that separates, excludes, isolates and belittles the person.
A good example of what the pope says is found in the parable in today’s Gospel. The very fact that we know the story as, ‘The Good Samaritan’ seems to imply that he is the exception, that most Samaritans are ‘bad’. That’s certainly how Jesus’ audience would have viewed Samaritans.
Ideas of hospitality, welcoming the stranger and caring for those in need held a very high place in Jewish scriptures, spirituality and practice. The practise of these virtues was long recognised as responding to the Word (God’s Law) placed in the believer’s heart.
That is, acting after God’s own heart.
Asking who is my neighbour (who is ’in’ or ‘out’) is the wrong question according to Jesus. Rather, one should ask, “How should a member of God’s chosen people act?” In the parable it is not a member of the Chosen People who acts after God’s heart, but an outsider, a Samaritan. It is he who shows how a member of God’s people should act towards those in need. He does not
ask, “Who is my neighbour”; he shows himself to be a neighbour and a person after God’s own heart by the lavish way he helps the man in need.
This is ‘loving with all one’s heart’. Can we go and do the same?

This encounter of mercy
between a Samaritan and a Jew
is highly provocative;
it leaves no room for ideological
manipulation
and challenges us to expand
our frontiers.

Fratelli tutti n. 83

• Celebrating At Home -  pdf 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (3.99 MB)
• Celebrating At Home -  default 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (2.43 MB)
• Celebrando en Familia -  pdf 15 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (573 KB)
• Celebrando in Casa -  pdf XV Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (572 KB)

Missionaries of the Kingdom
(Luke 10:1-12)

On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches the disciples the meaning of ‘following’ him. Part of that following is the proclamation of the Kingdom - drawing attention to the reign of God in the world and in its peoples.
There is a sense of simplicity and urgency as Jesus commissions the seventy-two to spread the Good News of God’s involvement in human life. The Gospel, of course, is not about an historical 72 people being sent out. It is about the mission of every disciple of Jesus. Spreading the message of the Gospel is always to be done in a non-threatening way – by winning over hearts and minds through good example and good living. It is best accomplished by making oneself vulnerable and keeping oneself focussed on the mission rather than on comfort. Real rejoicing is not to be had in the conversion of great numbers of people, but in knowing that one has done the word and the will of God.
Disciples can’t afford to be weighed down by too many things or lost in idle conversation (gossip). They are to be bearers of the peace of God - a peace which heals, strengthens, soothes, frees and restores. Difficulties will be encountered, but the disciples will not be overcome.
That is the cause for the rejoicing sung about in the first reading from the prophet Isaiah. God is at work among his people like a nurturing mother and a flowing river bringing nourishment, peace, comfort and delight. People flourish when the presence of God is recognised and welcomed.
May that presence be always seen and felt in us.

A committed missionary
knows the joy of being a spring
which overflows and refreshes others...
Only the person who feels happiness
in seeking the good of others,
in desiring their happiness,
can be a missionary.

The Joy of the Gospel n. 272

• Celebrating At Home -  pdf 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (5.28 MB)
• Celebrating At Home -  default 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (5.12 MB)
• Celebrando en Familia -  pdf 14 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (749 KB)
• Celebrando in Casa -  pdf 14 Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (549 KB)
• Celebrando em Família -  pdf 14 Domingo do Tempo Comum (552 KB)