Preparing for Sunday

Knowing I have to preach on a given Sunday, I find it very useful to take my time in allowing ideas to come to mind. Going over the readings early in the week and allowing them to float in my mind for a few days helps me to to focus on what events of the week connect to the readings.

As the week continues, I return to the readings with greater focus and attention. Using various homily helps and biblical commentaries give depth to the readings while I allow my own mind to delve into my own experiences to relate personally to the passages.

Some weeks the message of the readings is crystal clear, other times not so much. yet, as it is the Word of God, no matter what, there is a truth to be uncovered if we are willing to work and open our eyes.

Who Do You Say That I Am?

This sunday's gospel asked a truly central question to our lives of faith. Who do we say that Jesus is? Peter's response was correct; Jesus is the Christ. Unfortunately, Peter knew the right answer, but didn't understand what that answer truly meant. As a former English teacher, there have been many times when students would give the correct answer or use the right word in a sentence, but when asked to explain that answer or to define the word, they find that they cannot.

Each of Christ's followers had a different idea of what being The Christ meant, but they were thinking as humans do, not as God does. God redefined Messiah.

So, who is Christ for each of us? Jesus wants us to be able to not only give the right answer but to explain that answer in how we live - hence the second reading from James.

The Year of Saint Paul

When Pope Benedict XVI declared The Year of St. Paul, to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of the great apostle’s birth, the Church was blessed with the opportunity to get to know Paul once again. In my own faith journey, Paul has been a figure that I have tried to avoid. He is too controversial, too confrontational, too challenging for my tastes. In some ways it seemed as though Paul had become the domain of Protestants, while Roman Catholics focused on the Gospels. Rightly or wrongly, I struggled with Paul.
This year of renewed focus on Paul has truly been a blessing. The man from Tarsus became a true figure of faith to me. The only other time I can honestly remember appreciating Paul was when I took an introductory course on the New Testament with Fr. Paul Broadhurst CSB, when I was a student at St. John Fisher College. He is without a doubt one of the greatest teachers I have ever had.
As Vocation Director, I have used this year of Paul to reflect upon Paul’s call and how he responded to it. Paul was an intelligent man, proud of his faith and concerned about that faith’s role in the Roman world. When that concern led to his persecution of followers of Jesus, Paul was confronted by Christ and challenged with blindness. Christ called Paul directly, but that call meant others were needed as well. Ananias, Barnabas, Peter, and more had a part to play to supporting that call and leading Paul to the understanding of Christ’s teaching that would drive Paul all across the Mediterranean.
As we wind up this year of Paul and prepare for a year dedicated to the Priesthood, let each of us reflect upon those moments in our lives, when Christ’s truth was so bright and clear that it knocked us to the ground. Let us open our eyes to those young men who may have a similar experience, but need a new Ananias to help restore their sight. They may need a new Barnabas to accompany them in their new works of faith for the gospel.
As we enter the summer months, let us give thanks for the example of Paul and his answering of the Lord’s call to bring the Gospel to the world. That is our call, as well.