A Prayer for Leadership

 

  

Give us, O God,
leaders whose hearts are large enough 
to match the breadth of our own souls 
and give us souls strong enough
to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.

In seeking a leader, let us seek 
more than development for ourselves—
though development we hope for—
more than security for our own land—
though security we need—
more than satisfaction for our wants—
though many things we desire.

We beg you, Great God,
give us the vision as a people
to know where global leadership truly lies, 
to pursue it diligently,
to require it to protect human rights 
for everyone everywhere.
 

    Author: Joan Chittister

 

October 20, 2024: Rebecca Malone preaches for the 29th Sunday in Ordinar...

Reflections for Oct. 20 . . .

 

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – October 20, 2024

 

Educational Resources from Catholic Theological Union Readings: Is 53:10-11 Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Heb 4:14-16 Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45   The readings this week are quite foreboding and maybe even a little confusing. We start the first reading with “The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” Not the best way to begin reflecting on our relationship with God. The first reading portrays the concept of a “scape goat” where the transgressions of a community would be burned on a sacrificial animal and then it would be released into the dessert. This ritual would allow the community to begin again in their relationship with each other and their God. This image doesn’t really have easy parallels to our contextual ways of relating today. But the image in the Gospel of James and John jockeying for power does feel at least a little more familiar. The assumption that proximity to power results in us being powerful is subverted by Jesus’ answer that power needs to be given away; and if we wish to claim it without understanding it, we have missed his message entirely. In either case, both the first reading and the Gospel offer us a confusing mix of sacrifice and servitude. These are hard readings to unpack. What makes them even harder is that we are in the month of October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Messages like the ones mentioned above and even the one that claims whoever wishes to be greatest shall be servant of all are often distorted in the minds of both perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. People who experience such violence read these messages of our church that speak of giving our lives away or being a suffering servant as a mandate for their continued suffering. They wrongly think their oppression is a way of being tested and that forgiveness is expected of them. Domestic violence, like other types of violence, is the abuse of power in a way that controls and imitates another person. However, in domestic violence the person wielding the power is an intimate partner, one who has professed their love. The confusing mix of someone who loves also abusing can get messed up in our images of a God who sends his only son to be crucified for our sins. The task for us as preachers, ministers and people of God is to be very clear that there is a difference between Jesus who freely gives his life and someone who has no choice in the suffering they experience. There is a difference between suffering we might endure as a consequence of our own sin and suffering that is inflicted on someone through the sinful behavior of another. When we understand that domestic violence is an abuse of power, then we can understand the argument Jesus is trying to express to James and John. I see him saying, “Recognize the power you have and place it in service of the people of God.” We cannot ask those who have less power to lead the way in service or forgiveness. It must begin with those who have the highest proximity to power; they must be the ones asked to subvert their power into service or to relinquish their power to begin the process of forgiveness. Jesus invites each of us to consider not only how we want to be in relationship with Him, but also how we want to relate to those we love, those in our community, those in our world. Jesus’ ministry is not summed up solely in his crucifixion. His ministry showcased so many ways of being in loving relationship – he shared meals with outcasts, claimed even children had a right to proximity to him; he invited people to reconsider what they valued and how they gave of themselves to one another. His invitations to subvert our understanding of power invites us to stand with those who have been oppressed, to stand especially this month with those who have experienced domestic violence. When we help to clarify the message of love, when we help to balance the experiences of power and forgiveness, when we build relationships built on trust and hope, then we have prepared ourselves to accompany Jesus through his cross to the resurrection. By Christina R. Zaker, D.Min. Director of Field Education Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry Catholic Theological Union/Chicago

 

Educational Resources from Catholic Theological Union

Earth Teach Me to Remember . . .

Earth teach me stillness 
as the grasses are stilled with light. 
Earth teach me suffering 
as old stones suffer with memory. 
Earth teach me humility 
as blossoms are humble with beginning. 
Earth Teach me caring 
as the mother who secures her young. 
Earth teach me courage 
as the tree which stands alone. 
Earth teach me limitation 
as the ant which crawls on the ground. 
Earth teach me freedom 
as the eagle which soars in the sky. 
Earth teach me resignation 
as the leaves which die in the fall. 
Earth teach me regeneration 
as the seed which rises in the spring. 
Earth teach me to forget myself 
as melted snow forgets its life. 
Earth teach me to remember kindness 
as dry fields weep in the rain. 
Ute, North American

His name is John . . .Memorial of Pope John XXIII

 

 

October 11, Memorial Feast of Pope John XXIII

Not long after being elected to the papacy, Pope John took up residence in the papal apartments. These private apartments are hidden well inside Vatican City. John felt a little like a prisoner there, unable to come and go as he pleased and, more important to him, unable to invite friends to daily meals. It had become a custom for the pope to dine alone.

Pope John confided to his secretary, Monsignor Loris Capovilla, that he was unable to sleep through the night anymore. He felt lonely, and this kept him awake. He needed more conversation and more social stimulation to help him lose this feeling of being deserted . . .

Pope John simply could not accustom himself to the habit of eating all by himself, a practice which Pius XII had always maintained. In a very short time Capovilla was invited to join him at the table. The Pope’s appetite improved immediately. Shortly afterward he invited the cardinals of the Curia to be his table companions, one after the other. Little by little, bishops from all over the world, when they made their ad limina visits to Rome, were invited to join him for lunch or dinner. (Klinger, p. 29)

 

+  +  +

Once a distinguished luncheon companion ventured to remind John of the solitary eating habits of Pius XII. “Well and good,” John replied. “I value tradition and I grant that my predecessors did, too.  I must confess, however, that I have never found any place in the Bible which suggests that the Pope should eat alone." (Klinger, p. 29)
(Above selections from: Praying with Pope John XXIII by Bill Huebsch)

Quotes from Pope John XXIII

•  “It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about a serious problem and decide I must tell the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I am the Pope.”
•  “Italians come to ruin most generally in three ways, women, gambling, and farming. My family chose the slowest one.”
• “Anybody can be Pope; the proof of this is that I have become one.”
•  “The feelings of my smallness and my nothingness always kept me good company.”
•  “To have accepted with simplicity the honor and the burden of the pontificate, with the joy of being able to say that I did nothing to obtain it, absolutely nothing; indeed I was most careful and conscientious to avoid anything that might direct attention to myself. As the voting in Conclave wavered to and fro, I rejoiced when I saw the chances of my being elected diminishing and the likelihood of others, in my opinion truly most worthy and venerable persons, being chosen.”
•  "See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little.”
•  “Here I am at the end of the road and at the top of the heap.”
•  ”Prayer is the raising of the mind to God.
  We must always remember this.
  The actual words matter less.”
•  “Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”

Teresa ~ A Mega~Flower!

 

On October 15, the feast of St. Teresa of Avila will be observed in certain Catholic-Christian and Carmelite circles.  As Theresa of Lisieux referred to herself as the “little flower of Jesus," I suppose Teresa of Avila could be considered the “Big Flower” or “Mega-Flower” of Jesus!   She was a giant at the time she lived in the 16th century and her presence and force is still with us today!

Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) “is one of the most beloved spiritual figures in history . . . she is known around the world as a great mystic, saint, reformer” and the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church!!  After a special vision, she was moved to reform the Carmelite order. She founded the community known as the Discalced (shoeless) Carmelites in Avila.  “The sisters wore hemp sandals, but their name referred to the strict poverty that was a feature of Teresa’s reform.”

She was the foundress of 17 Carmel convents, the author of four books, and considered one of the outstanding religious teachers of Christian prayer.  She was known to have a charismatic personality, along with wisdom and courage that was deeply rooted in a special love relationship with God.

Throughout her life, she suffered from migraine headaches, and other physical ailments, and experienced dryness in prayer for much of her life. However, it is also written that Teresa had the privilege of hearing God speak to her. She also began to see visions and Jesuit and Dominican priests came to see if this was true. They were convinced and declared that the visions were holy and authentic. 

In accounts of her life, it is said that when she would move into a prayerful ecstasy, there were always a couple of sisters that were appointed to hold onto the hem of her habit so that as she was lifted up in prayerful rapture, she wouldn't injure herself.

There also is the great story told of her on her travels where she encountered all the hazards of donkey carts which was one of the means of transportation of her time.  “One time her cart overturned, throwing her into a muddy river.  When she complained to God about this ordeal, she heard a voice from within her say, ‘This is how I treat my friends.’ “Yes, my Lord,” she answered, “and that is why you have so few of them.”

Prayers of Teresa:

Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
+  + +
May today there be peace within.  May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.  May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  May you be content knowing you are a child of God.  Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.  It is there for each and every one of us.
+ + +
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

Sunday Reflection . . .

 

All things are possible for God – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Eleanor Doidge, LoB Assoc. Professor, Intercultural Studies and Ministry, Retired Readings: Wis 7:7-11 Ps 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 Heb 4:12-13 Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27     “All things are possible for God”  The gospel we read for this 28th Sunday offers both challenge and promise.  The story of the man’s interaction with Jesus evokes many different thoughts and questions.   Let’s put ourselves into the story.  A man approaches Jesus as he journeys with his disciples.  He asks Jesus what he has to do to inherit eternal life.  Perhaps you too ask that question in your thoughts, your prayers.  Jesus replies “No one is good except God.”  Jesus then gives instructions familiar to us from the Ten Commandments. Like the man, most would respond, “I have followed all these since my youth. I have not murdered, stolen, or committed adultery. I have honored my father and mother.”  The challenge follows when Jesus, looking at the man with love, tells him to go and sell his possessions and give to the poor, followed by the promise that he will have treasures in heaven.  “Come. follow me.”  A challenge and promise that the man found too difficult.  The story tells us that he walked away. As we ask ourselves how we might have responded were we the protagonist in this encounter with Jesus what thoughts arise?  Is it wrong to have possessions, wealth?  Do I have to give all to the poor? What does it mean to follow Jesus?  What about the common belief based on the scriptures that wealth is a reward for following God’s will?  This teaching remains true in our culture, in many cultures, that God will pour down riches on those who follow him.  Do I sometimes look down on people who are poor, struggling, and judge them for not being “good,” perhaps unworthy of God’s goodness?  What is the relationship between material well-being and discipleship? Perhaps you have other questions as you reflect on the encounter of the man with Jesus.  What is the message for you? My years of ministry and accompanying others have shown that many people have questions similar to these as they attempt to live the Gospel message.  Listening deeply to their searching questions, and to our own, we might realize the man’s dilemma.  He desired to know the Lord and to serve Him and became confused about Jesus’ request. Our first reading from Solomon provides some guidance in his prayer for wisdom.  Solomon sought wisdom above all else. Wisdom had no equal, all else was as sand and clay.  We read the  promise that acquiring wisdom leads to friendship with God.  “All good things came to me with her (wisdom) and wealth past counting in her hands.”  Wisdom, friendship with God, for Solomon is the way to a good life. This theme is repeated in the words of Psalm 90.  We are encouraged to pray for wisdom of heart so that we might be filled with the love of the Lord. Jesus looked on the man with love.  He recognized his potential to be a disciple and offered him the challenge together with the promise.  The man did not accept either.  However, the teaching of Mark 10 does not end with the man’s interaction with Jesus.  Rather, the dialogue continues with Jesus telling the disciples that it is very difficult to enter the kingdom of God.  “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”  The image of a camel and eye of a needle cannot be missed.  It says “impossible.” Again, it is important to keep reading: Jesus looked at them intently and said, “For human beings it is impossible but not for God, for all things are possible for God.”  We receive here the real challenge, a bigger one than surrendering our possessions.  This challenge and promise asks us to believe, to have faith in God’s goodness and Mercy. Wisdom, friendship with God and faith are the response needed by the man, and by us.   Eleanor Doidge, LoB Assoc. Professor, Intercultural Studies and Ministry, Retired