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Temples of God / Templos de Dios

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The money changers in the temple in today’s Gospel felt justified to profit from what people needed to fulfill their temple worship obligations. Unfortunately, sometimes we do the same thing. Let’s change the picture of the “money changers” to those in our modern-day, who profit from the needs of others: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Look to your heart to see if in some small (or perhaps significant) way you profit from another person’s gifts, talents, or needs; another’s friendship or love; another’s fear or loneliness; another’s willingness to give of himself. Or look at the pride you might have because someone looks up to you, and you relish being of influence. Is it for the good of their soul, and yours, or because you crave power? Once you start down that slippery slope of false reasoning, the gray that governs your actions becomes a blind spot. You sometimes can no longer see that what you do is harmful. You can find so many justifications! Such was the case of the money changers in today’s Gospel. To them, it was justified. They couldn’t see how far they had sunk into the sin of corruption. 

Ask yourself if the alluring power of sin has clouded your judgment so that you can no longer tell where you stepped off the path of righteousness. We can probably reason that the money changers started in good faith, but then it got out of hand, turning a “service” to the people into corruption, and sacrilegious use of sacred ground. Don’t let this happen to you. 

Ezekiel gives us today, also, one of my favorite “pictures” into the heart of God. Grace in the form of water spilling from all sides of the temple, making the seawater fresh and the ground fertile. Life will be abundant; fruit trees will grow bearing fruit; their leaves shall not fade nor their fruit fall. The fruit shall serve as food and their leaves as medicine. 

Today’s Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome is a great reminder to us that  we are also called to be a temple of God! If you feel that you aren’t there yet, then stand in the water flowing from the side of Christ to bless and nourish you. Let Christ gently cleanse the money changer in you out of your heart and return that space to hallowed ground, a sacred space for him to dwell in communion with you. Let Him transform you into the temple He has created you to be!

God Bless.

Los cambistas del templo en el Evangelio de hoy se sentían justificados de sacar ganancia con lo que la gente necesitaba para cumplir con sus obligaciones de adorar en el templo. Lamentablemente, a veces nosotros hacemos lo mismo. Cambiemos la imagen de los “cambistas” por la de aquellos de nuestros días, que se benefician de las necesidades físicas, emocionales y espirituales de los demás.

Mira a su corazón para ver si de alguna manera pequeña (o quizás significativa) te beneficias de los dones, talentos o necesidades de otra persona; de la amistad o el amor de otra persona; del miedo o la soledad de otra persona; de la disposición de otra persona de dar de sí misma. O mira el orgullo que puedes tener porque alguien te admira y disfrutas ser influyente. ¿Es por el bien de su alma y la tuya, o porque anhelas el poder? Una vez que comenzamos a descender por esa pendiente resbaladiza del razonamiento falso, el gris que gobierna las acciones se convierte en un punto ciego. A veces ya no se puede ver que lo que uno hace es dañino. ¡Podemos encontrar tantas justificaciones! Tal fue el caso de los cambistas del Evangelio de hoy. Para ellos, estaban justificados. No podían ver hasta qué punto se habían hundido en el pecado de la corrupción.

Pregúntate si el poder seductor del pecado ha nublado tu juicio de modo que ya no puedes saber dónde te has desviado del camino de la rectitud. Probablemente podamos razonar que los cambistas empezaron de buena fe, pero luego se les fue de las manos, convirtiendo un “servicio” al pueblo en corrupción y uso sacrílego de terreno sagrado. No permitas que esto te pase a ti.

Ezequiel nos da hoy, también, una de mis imágenes favoritas del corazón de Dios. La gracia en forma de agua que se derrama por todos los lados del templo, haciendo que el agua del mar sea fresca y la tierra fértil. La vida será abundante; los árboles frutales crecerán dando fruto; sus hojas no se marchitarán ni su fruto caerá. El fruto servirá como alimento y sus hojas como medicina. 

La fiesta de hoy, la Dedicación de la Basílica de Letrán en Roma, es un gran recordatorio para nosotros de que también estamos llamados a ser templo de Dios. Si sientes que aún no hayas llegado a ese punto, párate en el agua que fluye del costado de Cristo para bendecirte y nutrirte. Deja que Cristo limpie suavemente al cambista de dinero que hay en ti y lo saque de tu corazón y devuelva ese espacio a tierra sagrada, un espacio sagrado para que Él habite en comunión contigo. ¡Permítele que te transforme en el templo que Él te creó ser!

Dios te bendiga.

This reflection was reposted from Diocesan Archives. Author: Jeanne Penoyar

Feature Image Credit: Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbasilica_of_Saint_John_Lateran#/media/File:San_Giovanni_in_Laterano_-_Rome.jpg

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Every Sinner Has A Future / Cada Pecador Tiene un Futuro

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“Every saint has a past and every sinner a future.” (Oscar Wilde)

I once heard a story on NPR that touched me deeply. A woman’s teenage son was killed by another teenager in the heat of an argument. The young man was tried as an adult and sent to prison. While in prison, he spent a lot of time reflecting on what he had done and he was convinced that he needed the forgiveness of the mother who he had left without a son. He started writing to her, asking her to forgive him and also asking if she would come visit him. The woman would not. She could not find it in her heart to forgive and, in spite of the encouragement of her family and friends, refused to visit him. However, after much time had passed, she finally relented and set up a prison visit. She fully expected to see a young teenage boy there, yet was shocked to see a man. Her heart melted, and she took him into her arms. In that instant, her son was back. When the man was paroled, she was there to meet him, took him into her home and helped him to adjust and get a job. He, in turn, took her as his mother and did all he could to help her in her aging years. Over time, he bought a house only a few blocks from hers and continued to be her friend and her “son.”

This is a perfect example of what Jesus is talking about in today’s Gospel when He says: “There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents” after recounting the Parable of the Lost Sheep. We’ve heard this ever-famous story about the shepherd who would not give up looking for the one sheep that was separated and lost from the herd many, many times. Did you ever wonder if it was worth it for the shepherd to spend so much time, travel so far, and, we presume, neglect the rest of the herd, to find this one sheep? Did you ever wonder just what was so special about this sheep? 

How often have we not given another person a second chance? How often have we kept people locked in the boxes of their sinful past, not willing to recognize where they are now on their road to salvation.  I dare say it happens a lot to all of us. We might even think ourselves as the righteous and forget that we, ourselves, are sinners. 

I encourage you to reflect for a time today on Oscar Wilde’s quote. I’ve heard it used by Chesterton, by Thomas Merton and many other spiritual leaders when emphasizing that no one is perfect. Even the Saints struggled. But there is redemption for all available through the loving embrace of The Good Shepherd. Rest on his shoulders and give everyone, as well as yourself, another chance.

God Bless.

“Todo santo tiene un pasado y cada pecador tiene un futuro.” (Oscar Wilde)

Una vez escuché una historia en la radio pública que me conmovió profundamente. El hijo adolescente de una mujer fue asesinado por otro adolescente en el calor de una discusión. El joven fue juzgado como adulto y enviado a prisión. Mientras estuvo encarcelado, pasó mucho tiempo reflexionando sobre lo que había hecho y estaba convencido de que necesitaba el perdón de la madre a la que había dejado sin un hijo. Comenzó a escribirle, pidiéndole que lo perdonara y también pidiéndole que lo fuera a visitar. La mujer no quiso. No podía encontrar en su corazón la fuerza para perdonar y, a pesar de la motivación de su familia y amigos, se negó a visitarlo. Sin embargo, después de mucho tiempo, finalmente cedió y planificó una visita a la prisión. Esperaba ver a un joven adolescente allí, pero se sorprendió al ver a un hombre. Su corazón se derritió y lo tomó en sus brazos. En ese instante, su hijo regresó. Cuando el hombre fue puesto en libertad condicional, ella estuvo allí para recibirlo, lo acogió en su casa y lo ayudó a adaptarse y a conseguir un trabajo. Él, a su vez, la tomó como su madre e hizo todo lo que pudo para ayudarla en sus años de vejez. Con el tiempo, compró una casa a tan solo unas cuadras de la de ella y siguió siendo su amigo y su “hijo”.

Este es un ejemplo perfecto de lo que Jesús está diciendo en el Evangelio de hoy cuando dice: “Yo les aseguro que así también se alegran los ángeles de Dios por un solo pecador que se arrepiente” después de relatar la Parábola de la Oveja Perdida. Hemos escuchado esta famosa historia sobre el pastor que no se dio por vencido en la búsqueda de la oveja que se había separado y perdido del rebaño muchas, muchas veces. ¿Alguna vez te has preguntado si valió la pena que el pastor pasara tanto tiempo, viajara tan lejos y, suponemos que, descuidara al resto del rebaño, para encontrar a esta oveja? ¿Alguna vez te has preguntado qué tenía de especial esta oveja?

¿Cuántas veces no le hemos dado una segunda oportunidad a otra persona? ¿Con qué frecuencia hemos encerrado a las personas en las cajas de su pasado pecaminoso, sin querer reconocer dónde se encuentran ahora en su camino hacia la salvación? Me atrevo a decir que nos pasa a todos con frecuencia. Incluso podemos pensar que somos justos y nos olvidamos que nosotros mismos somos pecadores.

Los animo a reflexionar un momento hoy sobre la cita de Oscar Wilde. La he escuchado de Chesterton, de Thomas Merton y de muchos otros líderes espirituales cuando enfatizan que nadie es perfecto. Incluso los santos batallaban. Pero la redención está disponible para todos a través del abrazo amoroso del Buen Pastor. Descansa sobre Sus hombros y dales a todos, y a ti mismo, otra oportunidad.

Dios te bendiga.

This reflection was reposted from Diocesan Archives. Author: Jeanne Penoyar

Feature Image Credit: Harry Shelton, unsplash.com/photos/a-man-standing-behind-bars-in-a-jail-cell-ui-fbBKGW1I

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A Blueprint for Love / Un Plano del Amor

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“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

I’m going to guess that most of you reading this post today believe you have the first and greatest commandment down pat. Love God. It’s the “with all our heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” part that I question. I also question it in myself. Is my love for God whole? Or are parts of me still holding back? I ask because if we truly did love God wholly, do we really need the second commandment? Think about it. Perhaps it depends on our definition of what it means to love wholly. But this will not be the focus of today’s reflection.

Instead, let’s look at “The Greatest Commandment, Part II.” Or, the Sequel. Love of neighbor. For this, I’d like to offer you a blueprint for love of neighbor, one that I’ve used often in prayer and when delving into my understanding of how to love others. I hope this will help you also:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”   -1 Corinthians 13:1-7

There – the blueprint. The road map. What I like most about using this passage in my journey to loving others is that I can take baby steps. The first part reminds us that loving is more important than anything else we do. But the second part – this part lets us take those small steps. We can pick this apart and work on each of our shortcomings.

Perhaps we can start with patience if that is your downfall. Maybe it’s arrogance or irritability. Rudeness is a big one; jealousy, or perhaps too much rejoicing when someone you dislike experiences hard times. Are we happy about that? Or can we instead say a prayer for that person to help them? You must know that if you have not yet moved forward in your efforts to love, it cannot be done all at once. Dissect the blueprint. Pick one step and take the time necessary to improve this act of love. You may have to bite your tongue along the way. Try not to! But if you do, step back a bit on the road and look just ahead of you. What could you have done differently? Then, step forward and try again. Each time, with practice, should be easier. One – step – at – a – time!

Note that Jesus says we must love our neighbor, but often, I am asked how to define a neighbor. Well, look up from your phone and texting and social media and glance around you. You will find no shortage of neighbors to love. Whatever their race, creed, ideology, nationality, age, sexual orientation, body type or hair colo, these are your neighbors. These are the folks you are commanded to love. Jesus also said that we should love these neighbors as we love ourselves.

Love of self must be in the likeness of Jesus’ love for us, not in self-centeredness. Understanding how Jesus loves you will move you forward on our journey to loving your neighbor. Then, perhaps one day, who knows when our love of neighbor will also include those enemies whose only goal is to destroy us. An outlandish idea? Not in the eyes of Jesus. Yes, perhaps one day! Perhaps…

“Amarás al Señor, tu Dios, con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente. Este es el más grande y el primero de los mandamientos. Y el segundo es semejante a éste: Amarás a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.”

Voy a suponer que la mayoría de ustedes que leen esta publicación hoy creen que tienen el primer y más grande mandamiento al dedillo. Ama a Dios. Es la parte de “con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente” lo que cuestiono. También me lo cuestiono a mí mismo. ¿Es completo mi amor por Dios? ¿O hay partes de mí que aún no entrego? Pregunto porque si realmente amamos a Dios por completo, ¿realmente necesitamos el segundo mandamiento? Piénsalo. Quizá dependa de nuestra definición de lo que significa amar por completo. Pero este no será el centro de la reflexión de hoy.

Mejor veamos “El mayor mandamiento, Parte II”, la secuela, que es amor al prójimo. Para ello, me gustaría ofrecerles un modelo de amor al prójimo, uno que he usado a menudo en la oración y al profundizar en mi comprensión de cómo amar a los demás. Espero que esto te ayude también:

Si hablo en lenguas humanas y angelicales, pero no tengo amor, no soy más que un metal que resuena o un platillo que hace ruido. Si tengo el don de profecía y entiendo todos los misterios y poseo todo conocimiento, y si tengo una fe que logra trasladar montañas, pero me falta el amor, no soy nada. Si reparto entre los pobres todo lo que poseo, y si entrego mi cuerpo para que lo consuman las llamas, pero no tengo amor, nada gano con eso. El amor es paciente, es bondadoso. El amor no es envidioso ni jactancioso ni orgulloso. No se comporta con rudeza, no es egoísta, no se enoja fácilmente, no guarda rencor. El amor no se deleita en la maldad, sino que se regocija con la verdad. Todo lo disculpa, todo lo cree, todo lo espera, todo lo soporta.” -1 Corintios 13,1-7

Allí, está el plano, el mapa. Lo que más me gusta de usar este pasaje en la búsqueda para amar a los demás es que puedo dar pequeños pasos. La primera parte nos recuerda que amar es más importante que cualquier otra cosa que hagamos. Pero la segunda parte nos permite dar esos pequeños pasos. Podemos separar esto y trabajar en cada uno de nuestros defectos.

Quizás podamos empezar con la paciencia si eso nos cuesta. Tal vez sea la arrogancia o la irritabilidad o ser rudo, tener celos, o tal vez regocijar demasiado cuando alguien que no te cae bien pasa por momentos difíciles. ¿Nos ponemos contentos por eso? ¿O podemos decir una oración para ayudar a esa persona? Debe saber que si aún no ha avanzado en sus esfuerzos por amar, no puede hacerlo todo de una vez. Hay que dividir el plano. Eliga un paso y tómase el tiempo necesario para mejorar este acto de amor. Puede que tenga que morderse la lengua en el camino. ¡Ojala que no! Pero si lo hace, retroceda un poco en el camino y mire hacia adelante. ¿Qué podría haber hecho diferente? Luego, dé un paso adelante e inténtelo de nuevo. Cada vez, con la práctica, debería ser más fácil. ¡Un paso a la vez!

Tenga en cuenta que Jesús dice que debemos amar a nuestro prójimo, pero a menudo me preguntan cómo definir al prójimo. Bueno, levante la vista de su teléfono, mensajes de texto y redes sociales y mire a su alrededor. No encontrará escasez de vecinos a los que amar. Cualquiera sea su raza, credo, ideología, nacionalidad, edad, orientación sexual, tipo de cuerpo o color de cabello, estos son sus vecinos. Estas son las personas a las que debemos amar. Jesús también dijo que debemos amar a este prójimo como nos amamos a nosotros mismos.

El amor propio debe ser a semejanza del amor de Jesús por nosotros, no en el egocentrismo. Comprender cómo te ama Jesús te hará avanzar en la búsqueda de amar a tu prójimo. Entonces, quizás algún día, quién sabe cuándo, nuestro amor al prójimo incluirá también a aquellos enemigos cuyo único objetivo es destruirnos. ¿Una idea ridículo? A los ojos de Jesús, no. Sí, ¡tal vez algún día! Tal vez…

This reflection was pulled from the Diocesan Archives. Author: Jeanne Penoyar

Feature Image Credit: Emmanuel Phaeton, unsplash.com/photos/ZFIkUxRTWHk

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This Will Pass – Our Faith Will Endure

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St. Philip Neri: priest; missionary; founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of Catholic priests and lay brothers. Known for his knack to engage people in conversation, which, in turn, would lead people to Jesus, and charitable work for the sick and the poor. He was born in 1515; he died in 1595.

Fast forward to 2020.
Have you paid attention to the human-interest stories of late? Stories about surviving COVID; stories of neighbor helping neighbor; stories of first responders; stories of nurses and doctors battling this virus, amidst many obstacles; stories of recovered patients donating their blood. So many stories, so much faith.

St. Paul traveled all over his known world, preaching the gospel of Jesus. He did his best. He didn’t look back to those who would not listen, because he did his best. Paul’s message was delivered with conviction and joy. He evangelized, as did Philip Neri.

Are you, today, recognizing Evangelization? In most of the stories I listed above, have you noticed one thing in common? Almost all of those involved thank God, thank Jesus, credit their survival, hard work, care, and love of one another to their faith. “God was with us,” “God will see us through,” “I get strength from Jesus,” “I couldn’t carry on without my faith.” These are just a few of the ways that these folks express their faith.
I believe they are all sincere. I choose to believe that not one of these folks is “just saying it” because it seems like the right thing to do. They are evangelizing, without the benefit of a pulpit.

Can we do the same? When all this has passed away, will OUR faith endure?

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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What is Love?

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Every evening, several TV channels run an ad for Shriners’ Hospitals for Children. Sometimes they can be a bit annoying, but some are very cute when featuring the children Shriners’ serves. In one of these commercials, the boy in the wheelchair asks, “What is love?” The children try to answer: “Love is when someone likes someone.” “Love is a new prostetical leg” (his word). “You have to call the love doctor.” And my favorite response, “I got nothin!.” Ah, isn’t that the truth for most of us. We got nothin!

I believe love is probably the most difficult emotion to define. Most of us can’t even put into words what we feel when we think we are in love. Ask the old folks who have been married fifty or more years what kept them together, and even their answers are somewhat vague. Although I enjoy the responses, She’s always right, never go to bed angry, get used to apologizing, learn to laugh at yourself, etc. My guess is that it goes much deeper than these responses. The human language just falls short.

John’s Gospel is full of love. Coupled with his discourses about the Bread of Life, we get the epitome of love, in the person of Jesus. While on earth, Jesus tried desperately to impart the essence of love to those who would listen. Sometimes it seemed that his followers caught on even before his disciples. The disciples got it over time, as did John, who lived the longest and wrote his Gospel after many, many years of reflection on his experiences with Our Lord.

Jesus’ final act of love, while with his disciples, was to let them know that, even after he returned to his father, they would not be alone. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will come to remind them of what Jesus was all about, and how to find the love. I especially like the fact that the Holy Spirit will not teach anything new, but will remind us of what Jesus said and bring us to an understanding. Part of that understanding is to forget the frail words, and put love into action. Put those unexpressed feelings into acts of love. It is genuinely a case of ‘actions speak louder than words.’

As the weeks go by and we look forward to Pentecost, hopefully, gathered together again as a community in our churches, open your hearts to the power of the Spirit to help you understand how you are to live and love as Jesus taught. “Come Holy Spirit” is a simple prayer, but it works! As time goes by and we learn to trust the Spirit’s guidance, we’ll no longer say, “We got nothin!” Yeah, we will have somethin!

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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But if it Comes from God

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As I was struggling to get a start on this post, my phone rang. It was from Ann, my very good friend and neighbor. She had a “present” for me. I was working in my downstairs office, so I had to take the stairlift up to meet her at my door. She was able to find some of my favorite yogurt, Siggi’s Triple Cream Lemon. My supermarket stopped carrying it, and since I don’t get around to other stores anymore because I am unable to walk the long aisles, I have groceries delivered. It was a pleasant surprise to find Ann had found this for me. This yogurt is one of the simple pleasures of life that I enjoy.

Yes, I know. You are thinking, “what does this have to do with today’s readings?” Well, the yogurt has nothing to do with it. But the love and friendship of Ann do! Ann’s friendship comes to me from God. I try to be there for her, and she tries to be there for me.

This begs the question we all must at times ask ourselves: is what we say, do, experience, share, come from God? Or do those things have another origin?

Have you taken notice when contemplating the things of the world, who or what makes the most significant impact on human life? I have. I have come to believe that the people and organizations that do the most good are those that come from God. The motivation in the hearts of these people is to uplift and care for everyone. Mostly to care for their wellbeing – which in the end will result in the care of the soul. Especially today. Look to the many “good news” stories and film clips we are seeing of people reaching out to make life a little better for those confined, or ill, lonely, or just in need of a bit of yogurt!

Gamaliel was right. If it comes from God, it will survive and make a difference in the world. I won’t be remiss in reminding you that the story from Acts clearly shows us that Jesus’ ministry, his words, his teachings of love have continued to spread and have lasted over two thousand years! This, in spite of the hardships his followers have experienced over the centuries; in spite of the evil that has, at times, tried to bring down the Church but have not succeeded. They were not “of God.”

But you and I are. Maybe not in perfection every day, but in the continued striving to make Jesus’ teachings our guideposts. Whether in easy times or hardships, cling to the words of Gamaliel, here paraphrased: “If it comes from God, it will not be destroyed, or we find ourselves fighting against God, instead of working with him.” All for the greater good and the glory and honor of God!

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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And We Call It Good

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I have a favorite prayer for after receiving Holy Communion. The Anima Christi. Most of you should be familiar with this prayer. It has been around for a long time. Some encyclopedia says since Medieval times, some attribute it to St. Ignatius Loyola. It doesn’t matter. It is a beautiful pray most suitable for Good Friday. And I happen to love the old language:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me. 
Blood of Christ, inebriate me. 
Water from the side of Christ, wash me. 
Passion of Christ, strengthen me. 
O Good Jesus, hear me. 
Within Thy wounds hide me. 
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. 
From the evil one defend me. 
In the hour of my death call me. 
And bid me come unto Thee, 
That with all Thy saints, 
I may praise thee 
Forever and ever. 
Amen. 

One prays for oneself in this prayer. But I want to offer you this next version to use in prayer for others. Especially for those in dire need of your prayer. And perhaps, it’s for all of us on this Good Friday on which we pray alone in our homes, unable to gather together. Fill in the name of the person for whom you are praying:

Soul of Christ, sanctify _____. 
Body of Christ, save _____. 
Blood of Christ, inebriate ______.  
Water from the side of Christ, wash _____. 
Passion of Christ, strengthen _____. 
O Good Jesus, hear me. 
Within Thy wounds hide him/her. 
Suffer him/her not to be separated from Thee.  
From the evil one, defend him/her. 
At the hour of _____’s death, call him/her 
And bid him/her come unto Thee. 
That with Thy saints, he/she may praise Thee forever and ever. Amen 

And may your prayer be answered by our Good and Suffering Christ who died for us this day, and rose on the third day to give us eternal life. May your Triduum prayers be fruitful and your Easter most joyous! 

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Now More Than Ever

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“Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side.”

Psalm 23 has to be the most well know psalm ever written. And how appropriate that it would show up as our Responsorial Psalm in today’s readings. The world is traveling through a “dark valley” right now, wondering if it will ever find its way out. But I believe for many of us, the lack of Masses or any other Christian services is a dark valley in itself. We feel disconnected from our worshiping communities, and perhaps even from the Lord in the Eucharist. What we need to remember is that Our Lord does not distance himself from any of us, just because we can’t gather in the church or any large group.

As with many of you, I have always had a great love for this psalm, and have always used it in times of trouble, sorrow, doubt, pain, loss, or illness. It gives comfort. It uplifts. It so beautifully tells us of a God who is always looking after us, always looking for us when we need him most.

As we fast approach Easter, with all services canceled, we may find ourselves feeling as if the church has abandoned us. When in any of our lifetimes have we experienced this? When? We haven’t. And as with all uncharted territory, we are trepidacious in moving forward.

Open your bible to Psalm 23. Read it every day. Read it several times a day and let the words of comfort swell in your hearts and souls and then move on to the rest of your day. If you get a little down or feel somewhat claustrophobic, reread it. It will not, just as Our Lord will not, let you down.

“He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.”

I wish all of you courage. Courage to move forward toward the far end of this dark valley that will soon open up to those verdant pastures of hope, comfort, and peace. All will be well!

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Do You Want to be Well?

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“Do you want to be well?”

This may seem like a crazy question to someone who has been ill for 38 years. Why did Jesus ask it?

The lame man’s answer may give a clue. He does not say yes. He shifts the problem to the circumstances around him: he has no one to put him into the healing pool, which was said to cure the first person to enter it when the water was disturbed. He is alone. No relatives or friends to help him.

Perhaps, having been alone and sick for so long, he had simply lost hope. He was accustomed to his aloneness and his inability to get into the water. His solitude and situation had become familiar and somewhat comfortable. He went to the pool where he might be cured, but without any real hope that it was possible for him. His difficult rut had become his permanent reality in his mind.

Jesus stirs up a new possibility by looking at him and asking, “Do you want to be well?” Do you want to change? Do you desire something new? Because something new demands something of you! Are you ready for this? “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”

Jesus never forces himself or his way on us. We must desire it. That is why he tells us elsewhere to ask, seek, knock in order to receive. We have a responsibility to direct our desires and our hope toward the good and true and beautiful, toward God’s will for us, toward true happiness in Christ. This demands something of us. We must be willing to leave some things behind, to encounter the Truth in Christ, to embark on the spiritual adventure of grace.

Jesus tells the healed man and us, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.”

In order to love, we must leave behind our grudges.
In order to serve, we must leave behind our pride.
In order to be whole, we must leave behind our woundedness.
In order to walk with Christ, we must leave behind our own ideas and agendas.

Do we want to be spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically well? Do we want to be true followers of Christ? Are we willing to open ourselves fully to all God wants to pour into us and through us? Are we ready to be well?

What do we need to let go of?

During this time of social isolation (a friend called it “the lentiest Lent”!), we have the opportunity to spend more time in prayer and reflection. Let’s imagine Jesus himself looking us in the face and asking, “Do you want to be well?” and ask him to show us what our true answer is. And then he can begin to set us free.

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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including newly ordained Father Rob and seminarian Luke ;-), and two grandchildren. She is a Secular Discalced Carmelite and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 25 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE. Currently, she serves the Church as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio, by publishing and speaking, and by collaborating with the diocesan Office of Catechesis, various parishes, and other ministries to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is https://www.kathryntherese.com/.

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A New Heaven and a New Earth

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Given the state of the world today, amid the Coronavirus pandemic, doesn’t the sound of God, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, bring about a longing to change all that is happening? Oh, that we could reverse everything and start over. I don’t mean going back to the Garden of Eden. But, could we instead hope that the world, as we know it today, would revert to love, kindness, no illness, no death, no weeping, no pollution, no fears — Oh, that we could!

Isaiah speaks of a new earth. A renewal of our commitment to God and all the good we can experience when we believe and follow.

Jesus, then, in the Gospel, brings healing and wholeness to a family facing the death of a child, reminding us that Jesus IS the Resurrection and the Life.

Our lives in today’s world, as in times past, will not be free from pain, sickness, or tragedy. We cannot expect that. But what we can expect from our commitment to Jesus is the peace he alone can bring. And that peace will give us the strength to get through the toughest of times.

To all of you who are plagued by fear or troubled by what is happening in our world of 2020: I encourage you to continue to pray and hold close to the heart of Jesus.
To all of you who are plagued by fear of what is happening in our world, but do not have the strength of Faith, don’t despair. Look to someone you know is secure in Jesus, and seek the help that will bring you close to the Savior and, in the end, free of fear. You will find yourselves calmer in coping with this unknown attacking our world.

“You changed my mourning into dancing; O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. And I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”

God Bless

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Save Me, O Lord, In Your Kindness

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Jeremiah faces much opposition from the people. Note the line: “And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.” Sound familiar? Much like the political climate today. Opposition to a political figure will find whatever that person has said, past or present, to tear them down. It was no different in Jeremiah’s time or throughout human history.

Jeremiah’s prayer, however, is wonderful: “Heed me, O Lord…Remember that I stood before you to speak on their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.” Jeremiah does not pray for their destruction because of the opposition. Instead, he prays that God will spare them despite their evil intentions.

The prayer of Jeremiah shows much love for the people of Judah, much the same say Jesus continued to show love toward the Sons of Zebedee, rather than rebuke them, or their mother, for her request for her sons to be among the greatest at the Lord’s table. Neither she nor her sons understood what it would mean to be at the Lord’s table. It meant to suffer as Jesus would suffer. This is how one becomes great in the eyes of God. Not by human standards, but by God’s standards. Where have we heard this before? All through the Gospels.

The apostles would someday come to know that they would suffer great pain for their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.  We sometimes also suffer for our faith. In many parts of the world, Christians are physically persecuted. In our own country, it seems Christians are being looked down upon and vilified for our beliefs. Since when has the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of love or one another, become the enemy civilization? It is hard to imagine for those of us who have lived long lives and grew up in the day when Christianity was the standard, not on the outside fringe.

The question all of us must ask is this: How do we continue to show the world that the teachings of Jesus are the only way the world will be saved? That our love for everyone and the salvation of their souls is primary? Well, let’s look again, to Jesus: “Rather, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Ransom = freedom. Many = all.

The season of Lent is the perfect time to look into our hearts to find that kernel of truth hiding among the weeds of pride. The truth that only when we serve others, can we be among the greatest in the eyes of Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the word slave. It is not “slave” in the sense we understand today, but rather the “slave of love” to another. Voluntary slavery to serve the greater good. In my 70 years of life, I am quite amazed that many people still do not understand that living by the Gospel, the Commandments, and the Beatitudes, brings about peace. Instead, today we seem intent on sowing the seeds of true slavery to the whims of the world. Please don’t fall into this trap!

If there is hope in all of this, it is that Lent, every year, calls us to examine our hearts and where we stand with Jesus. Even the smallest change in our lives will blossom. The seeds planted in our souls and cannot be eradicated. They will remain there until we commit to growing in love and service.

“You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands, I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.  Save me, O Lod, in your kindness.”

God Bless

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Lessons in Humility

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Today’s readings are all about being humble. The Gospel tell us to not worry about being the greatest, but rather to be as simple as children. I could attempt to wax eloquent on the subject, but who better to teach the lessons of humility than great writers, past and present. Here are some of the best:

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?

“As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.” C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” (Abraham Lincoln)

“True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.” (Martin Luther)

“Learning to believe you are magnificent, and gradually to discover that you are not magnificent: enough labor for one human life.” (Czesław Miłosz)

“Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” (Andrew Murray, Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness)

“Until you have suffered much in your heart, you cannot learn humility.” (Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives)

“The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.” (Thomas ᾲ Kempis, The Inner Life)

“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” (Ann Landers)

“Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.” (Andrew Murray, Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness)

“Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.” (St. Vincent de Paul)

“You cannot exalt God and yourself at the same time.” (Rick Warren)

“Our humility before God has no value, except that it prepares us to reveal the humility of Jesus to our fellow men.”  (Andrew Murray, Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness)

And, on this day before the start of Lent, a little humor to get you started:

“On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.”
–Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays

May your Season of Lent lead you closer to our Lord and nourish in you a humble spirit.

God Bless.
(Quotes taken from Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/humility)

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.