Woman Caught in Adultery (2025-04-06, Lent, 5th Sunday)

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[__v.3__]   Homily –  April 6, 2025 /  5^th Sunday Lent  ● Isaiah 43:16-21 ●  Psalm ___ ●  Philippians 3:8-14 ● + John 8:1-11  ● 

[__01_]  Where Does the Bible Come From?

The Bible as a Collection of Books

Many of us think of the Bible as a single book—a thick book we can buy at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or a Catholic bookstore. However, the Bible is more like a library of books collected over time. About 1,500 to 1,600 years ago, Church councils and leaders prayerfully determined which books should be included in the Bible.

For example, in the New Testament, there are 27 books, beginning with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and ending with Revelation. While there are differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles regarding the Old Testament, both traditions completely agree on the New Testament’s 27 books.

 How Were These Books Discovered?

The books of the Bible were discovered over time through archaeological digs. Archaeologists uncovered ancient papyrus scrolls, some written in Greek and others in Latin. The authenticity of these scrolls was determined by their age and content.

 

One interesting point is that in some of the oldest manuscripts of the Gospel of John, today’s passage does not appear. There was debate about whether it should be included in John’s Gospel or placed in the Gospel of Luke. Or, perhaps not included at all. This shows that prayerful discussion played a role in forming the Bible as we know it today.

Despite the early debates, this passage has become one of the most famous in the Gospels, frequently depicted in movies about Jesus.

It also has the famous phrase about “not casting a stone”

[__02_]    In today’s Gospel, we witness an encounter between Jesus, a woman caught in adultery, and a group of scribes and Pharisees eager to condemn her. This moment is one of profound mercy and justice, revealing God’s desire for conversion rather than condemnation. The scene serves as a testament to the power of witness—a central theme throughout John’s Gospel.

 The scribes and Pharisees bring the woman before Jesus, hoping to trap him. If he upholds the Mosaic Law, which demands her stoning, he appears harsh and unmerciful. If he releases her, he seems to disregard the law. Jesus does neither. Instead, he bends down and writes on the ground. What does he write? We do not know, but many speculate that he inscribes the sins of the very men standing before him, reminding them that they, too, are in need of mercy. When he finally speaks, his words echo through the centuries: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, the accusers walk away, beginning with the eldest, leaving Jesus alone with the woman.

 

[__03_]     Here in John 8, the woman caught in adultery becomes an unwitting witness to God’s mercy. The scribes and Pharisees, though they claim to uphold the law, fail to witness to God’s justice because their actions are not rooted in love but in a desire to trap Jesus. Their form of justice lacks compassion, yet true justice is inseparable from mercy.

 St. Augustine reflects on this passage with his famous phrase: “Hate the sin and love the sinner.” Jesus does not condone the woman’s sin, but neither does he condemn her. Instead, he calls her to conversion: “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” This moment illustrates the balance between mercy and repentance. God’s forgiveness is not a license to sin but an invitation to transformation.

 

Augustine also challenges us to consider how we regard women and marriage. In his time, as in ours, society often judged women more harshly than men in cases of adultery. The Gospel calls us to examine not only personal sin but also the structural injustices in our world. Today, we see industries built on the exploitation of women—human trafficking, pornography, and abuse that degrade human dignity. Jesus’ response to the woman reminds us that every person, no matter their past, is worthy of dignity and redemption.

 

This passage also challenges us to reflect on forgiveness. Many have experienced betrayal—whether through infidelity, broken trust, or deep wounds in relationships. Augustine acknowledges that reconciliation is difficult. Some marriages recover from infidelity, others do not. There is a retreat program called Retrouvaille that helps struggling couples rediscover their love. While not every situation leads to reconciliation, the Gospel calls us to avoid hardness of heart. True forgiveness is not approval of wrongdoing but liberation from resentment.

 

We might also consider how we react when faced with someone else’s sin. The scribes and Pharisees were quick to condemn, but Jesus calls us to examine ourselves first. When we stand before God, do we hold stones of judgment, or do we recognize our own need for mercy? This Gospel does not mean ignoring sin; rather, it asks whether our approach to others leads to restoration or destruction.

 

Jesus is a disruptor in this Gospel. He upends the social order by refusing to abandon the woman as society had. This mirrors other passages in Scripture: the father running to embrace the prodigal son, the Good Shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to find the lost sheep. God does not abandon the sinner but calls for repentance and renewal. If we find ourselves feeling abandoned—whether by others, by our circumstances, or even by God—we can take heart in Jesus’ words. Just as he did not abandon this woman, he does not abandon us.

 

Finally, this passage reminds us that we, too, are called to be witnesses—martyrs in the original sense of the word. A martyr is not only one who dies for the faith but one who testifies to Christ through their life. Our witness to Christ is shown in how we extend mercy, how we uphold justice, and how we respond when faced with the sins of others. Do we throw stones, or do we open the door to redemption?

 I pray we may reflecting on Jesus’ call to mercy, justice, and conversion. Let us strive to be witnesses not of God’s transformative love.  [end]

Link to Livestream Alfie Sharkey Funeral Mass, 11 am Tuesday April 1

Click this Link to Livestream Alfie Sharkey Funeral Mass, 11 am Tuesday April 1

Prodigal Son. (2025-03-30, Lent, 4th Sunday)

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 [_ver-06, _]   Homily –  March 30, 2025 /  5^th Sunday Lent ● Joshua 5:9a, 10-12  ●  Psalm 34 ●  2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ● + Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 ● 

 We read this in the book of Ephesians, chapter 6, starting verse 1:

"Children, obey your parents, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother. This is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth."

 The prodigal son did not read this.

 I recall that it went well for me and my brother with our parents when we obediently and promptly mowed the lawn. We took out the lawn mower, mowed the grass weekly, and shared the responsibility, doing as we were told. This was a chore we did throughout high school, preferably before the weekend. Each week, one of us would mow part of the lawn, leading to debates over who did more. Did we split it exactly 50/50, or did one of us take on more? We argued then, and we still do. Perhaps if I were to look at the property on Google Earth, I could finally answer this question.

 

Sometimes, we measure our loyalty, love, or relationships by what we do—whether for God or for each other. Yet, my parents did not love me because I mowed the lawn. God, our Father, does not ask us to obey and heed His Word simply through labor but through our receptivity to His love. At the end of the parable, both brothers learn this lesson. They are often characterized as opposites—one good, one bad; one who returns and receives a celebration, the other who does not. However, they are the same in one crucial way: both believe they must earn their father’s love.

 

One brother assumes he has lost his father’s love and must work to regain it, signing up for minimum wage or less to earn his way back. The other believes he has already secured his father’s love and needs to do nothing more. Yet, the father tells the elder son, "Everything I have is yours." He has always been treated as a beloved son, but paradoxically, he sees himself as a slave. Both sons receive forgiveness from their father, yet mercy and reconciliation require acceptance.

Mercy is, also, in the eye of the beholder.

 

The younger brother represents all of us who seek absolution in the confessional, vow faithfulness in matrimony, receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, and come forward in humility to receive Holy Communion, saying, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

 

This parable is one of Jesus' most well-known and beloved, but it is both challenging and consoling. Whether we identify with the rebellion of the younger brother, the pride of the older brother, or the compassion of the father, each figure reflects traits found in all of us. You might say, "I know how this story ends, just like a summer rerun of 'Law and Order.'" The behavior of the two brothers is predictable—you can see it coming. But is the father’s response predictable? If you were hearing the parable for the first time, would you expect him to react this way?

 

If you are a parent, grandparent, or elder relative, you might recognize this instinct. When a rift occurs, it is often the parent who makes the first move. Years ago, I heard about a classmate who had a serious falling out with his parents. He was an adult by then, and the estrangement lasted months—then years. It saddened me to hear this. Fortunately, the rift was eventually healed, but it took time. The turning point, the "God moment," came when his parents reached out first. They prayed and persevered, refusing to wait for their son to make the first move.

 

In the parable, it may seem that the prodigal son initiates the reconciliation. He says, "I got up and went back to my father." But in truth, the father has been waiting all along. He sees his son from a distance and runs to meet him. The father’s mercy teaches both brothers the value of their lives and their future salvation. They both have a place in their father's house.

 

My father did not have my brother and me mow the lawn just so he could relax on weekends. He was showing us that we were not merely tending his property—we were tending our own. "Everything I have is yours." That is the message of the Gospel.

 

As parents, mentors, and leaders, our role is not just to demand obedience for its own sake but to lead others to God the Father. For a time, children look to their parents as their guide to God. But as they grow, parents must step aside, allowing their children to establish their own relationship with Him.

 

Teaching children to listen, be humble, and respect authority is not about control—it is about preparing them for a life of cooperation, love, and self-discipline. Learning to admit when we are wrong is essential in marriage, work, and faith. Obedience is not blind submission; it is an engaged response to truth. Sometimes, obedience means speaking the truth in love, as when a faithful friend offers guidance or when a parishioner holds a priest accountable to God’s will. A priest friend once told me, "I obey the Archbishop of Newark not just by following orders, but by telling him the truth—even when I disagree—and offering solutions." True obedience is not passive; it is an active cooperation with God’s plan.

 

Parents do not obey their children—although, as the Duke of Windsor once quipped, "Parents in America are very good at obeying their children." This is not the model we are called to follow. Parents lead not by submission but by faithfully carrying out their role as stewards of their children’s formation.

 

We often look back and realize that, although we may not have wanted to hear our parents’ words at the time, we are grateful for them now. As the saying goes, "When I was 16, I thought my parents were foolish. When I was 36, I thought they were brilliant. As I grew older, my parents grew wiser and wiser."

 

In the end, the prodigal son returns home—not merely to obedience but to a relationship. He comes back not as a slave but as a son, restored in love. This is what God desires for us—not just compliance but reliance on Him. He calls us not only to work for Him but to give Him our hearts. When we serve Him and one another, we build His house together, and in that unity, we find eternal happiness.

 

"Children, obey your parents, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother. This is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth."  (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Stations of the Cross. (2025-03-23, Lent 3rd Sunday)

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 [v.3]   Homily – March 23, 2025 /  3^rd Sunday Lent  ● Exodus 3:1-8a ●  Psalm 103 ●  1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12 ● + Luke 13:1-9 ● 

Title:    Living Stations of the Cross: A Reflection on Luke 13:1-9

[__01_]Witnessing the Living Stations of the Cross

Recently, on Friday, March 14, I found myself seated where you are now, facing the altar, as I witnessed a presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross. This dramatic play was performed by our Confirmation Religious Education students under the guidance of our dedicated teachers and volunteers.

 To our students—thank you. Your efforts went beyond mere compliance with your teachers; you collaborated with one another to bring this story to life. Through your performance, you invited all of us to walk alongside Jesus in our own Lenten journey.

 [__02_] The Lenten Sacrifice.   The 40 days of Lent are a time of preparation. We fast, abstain from meat on Fridays, and give up conveniences to focus on spiritual growth. However, sacrifice requires motivation and energy.

     Our young students demonstrated this beautifully. They spent two full hours here on a Friday evening—perhaps hungry, perhaps tired after a full week of school —yet they gave their time to enact the Passion of Christ. This act of devotion was its own form of fasting, an offering of their time and effort in service of our faith. We all have limited time!

 

[__03_] The Limited Time of Christ on Earth

 

Jesus’ Passion and Death remind us that He, the eternal Son of God, had a limited time on earth. Though His divine nature is everlasting, His earthly ministry was brief. He chose to be vulnerable, accepting suffering and death not for His own sins, but for ours.

 

His self-sacrifice teaches us the value of time. Jesus had only a few short years to teach, heal, and redeem, and He used them fully. We too have a finite number of days to turn to God and live according to His will.

 

[__04_] Jesus: The Star Who Suffers

 

There is a paradox in the Passion story. In the Living Stations of the Cross, Jesus is the central figure, yet He is the one who suffers and dies. While others live, He alone bears the burden of our sins.

 

On Good Friday, Isaiah the prophet foretells this sacrifice: “He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, by his stripes we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

 

The Stations of the Cross remind us of Jesus’ suffering: He falls once, twice, a third time—yet He rises each time, carrying His cross forward. Actually, the 3 steps leading to every Catholic altar symbolize these falls, reminding us that Jesus continued onward despite His suffering, in his limited time.

 

[__05_] Common View of Life and Death

The notion that life is a fleeting drama is not new. William Shakespeare famously wrote in As You Like It:

“All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.”

 

Shakespeare describes old age as a period of decline, a time of losing everything. Jesus, too, lost everything—His friends, His dignity, even His clothing. But is this the true way to view life and death? Is life simply about accumulating and then losing material possessions?

 

[__06_] The Gifts of Aging

 

While aging often comes with challenges, it also brings gifts. Sometimes, though, we resist these gifts because we see dependence as a weakness.

 

My father once shared an experience at work. After many years in one place, he was relocated to a new office with many new co-workers who didn’t know him. At a morning meeting, he stood in the back – along with several others -  because there weren’t enough chairs. A younger colleague offered him a seat, but he declined, finding this form of “kindness” to be excessive.  “No thanks, I’m good.”

This moment highlights how we equate strength with independence.  I don’t want a chair when I can stand. Yet Jesus teaches us that true strength is found in reliance on God and in serving one another.

[__07_] Gospel’s Message on Life and Death

The Gospel passage from Luke 13:1-9 challenges common assumptions about life and death. Biblical scholar John Bergsma explains that in Jesus’ time, people often viewed a tragic death as a sign of divine judgment. But Jesus turns this thinking upside down.

 

“Jesus is rebuking a tendency among the [Jewish people] of his day, including his disciples, to see one’s fate in death, whether favorable or unfavorable, as a divine assessment of the righteousness of one’s life. In the kingdom of heaven, things are reversed. Those who die in persecution may in fact be ‘blessed’ (Matthew 5:10-12).”

Today, we may not think in these exact terms, but we have our own biases. We often equate a person’s worth with fame or wealth.

Consider that when a celebrity dies very suddenly, the world takes notice, as defined by CNN, TikTok, X (Twitter). You know where to turn. All of these channels have some tribute to the celebrity’s life and death, often based on how famous or accomplished the person was. Yet, in the eyes of God, neither wealth nor status matters. Jesus says this, do you imagine that the people who died tragically were were worse than you?

I'd like turn this around. Do you imagine that the people who die in great fame and wealth are better than you?

Sometimes we imagine they're better just because they're famous.

That's not true.

What matters is whether we are in a state of grace, prepared to meet Him.

[__08_] Walking the Stations for Ourselves and Others

We walk the Stations of the Cross during Lent not only to honor Christ but also to seek His grace. This is a time to ask God for the strength to change our lives, to turn back to His ways. It is also a time to pray for those who have already died or are dying.   Perhaps we haven't thought of someone in a while, but it's never too late to offer our prayers for the soul of a child, the soul of a brother, sister, husband or wife, mother or father, we ask God's mercy on them, just as we ask it for ourselves. Our lives are not merely performances where we exit the stage at death. Instead, through Jesus' sacrifice, we are given the opportunity to enter eternal life, and following God's commandments is not simply about obedience and compliance. This compliance is also about community. It's about collaboration. We help one another to recognize Christ's love guiding each other towards salvation. Husbands and wives are called to help each other to get to heaven. Mothers and fathers to help their children to get to heaven, and even children to help their parents to get to heaven through the saving Body and Blood of Christ, we don't simply exit as players from a stage. We are called to enter into God's eternal family. 

Transfiguration. Jeopardy! (2025-03-16, Lent 2nd Sunday)

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 [__ver-05__]   Homily – March 16 2025 /  1^st Sunday Lent  ● Genesis 15:5-12 ●  Psalm 27 ●  Philippians 3:17-4:1  ● + Luke  9:28b-36● 

 [__01_]   Regarding the Gospel of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36).

From time to time, there are moments of glory and greatness in the ordinary life of my mother who lives with Parkinson’s disorder / disease and is a courageous and patient person.

          Parkinson’s a neurological and movement disorder that affects motor coordination and also memory and cognition. There have been reasons for hope not only because my father takes excellent care of my mother but also because my mother has not lost her will to live, even to do things she is not supposed, such as unpack her own suitcase. Her desire to do this brings some hope, even though we know she is not physically capable.

Also, my mother can still calm you down or put you in your place if you are carrying on too long by simply interjecting with, “now, that’s enough.”

[__02_]              I bring this up as one example of what many you live with or have lived with, in the long term care of chronic illness.

          So many of you help your loved ones. And we look for rays of sunshine amid the often cloudy conditions and gray areas.

[__03_]    I also bring this up because the Gospel of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36) is about the vision of something bright and dazzling amid the and darkness and seemingly unmitigated disaster of Jesus’ passion and death.

          This Transfiguration event occurs several months or one year or more before Good Friday. On Good Friday, everything is rolling – as we say in West Orange – down the hill. But, in the Transfiguration Gospel, with Jesus appearing with Moses and Elijah, Jesus is up the mountain and up the hill, meaning he is also giving access to God in Heaven.

[__04_]   The Transfiguration is one of many profound mountain experiences in Scripture. God often meets His people on summits. Consider Abraham’s journey to Mount Moriah with his son, Isaac (Genesis 22). There, Abraham faced the agonizing test of faith—to sacrifice his son. Ultimately, God provided a ram, sparing Isaac. This story foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

 

Like Abraham's ascent, Jesus' climb anticipates sacrifice. The Jerusalem Temple, another place of sacrifice, also stands on a mountain. For those who have visited the Holy Land, the steep climb to Jerusalem is unforgettable. The Transfiguration, then, is not just a geographic ascent but a spiritual one—pointing to Christ’s sacrificial journey culminating on Good Friday.

[__05_]   Preparing for the Climb: Visualization   How do climbers prepare for their journey? One key method is visualization. Climbers mentally rehearse the path—visualizing handholds, footholds, and safety measures. This preparation reduces mental noise, helping them focus on their goal.

 Similarly, in our spiritual lives, distractions and noise can obscure our direction. The Transfiguration reminds us to focus on where God is leading us. Are there worries or confusions preventing you from hearing God’s call? Visualization in prayer can help clarify our path.

 [__06_]   Facing Challenges Through Visualization

Are there difficulties or people you'd rather avoid? Life presents unavoidable challenges. But through prayer, we can visualize God's presence even in adversity. The Transfiguration is a glimpse of Jesus' true glory, reminding us that God's light is present even amid suffering.

 [__07_]   The paradox is that Jesus is most in his glory not on this mountain in dazzling white clothing, but most in his glory when he is giving his life, arrested and suffering on the Cross.

          The disciples, of course, will be discouraged – at first – by this definition of glory.

            So, Jesus appears in dazzling white now to reveal His glory ahead of time.

            We also need moments to remember God’s love for us and our call to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

            This transfiguration and visualization reminds his disciples of their hope of being Jesus in paradise, in heaven.

            I pray that this Gospel reminds not only about the difficulty of climbing each day but that we can already right now visualize that God is with us. Jesus is here. Listen to Him. 

[__08_]  Do you know Harvey Silkovitz? Until recently, I also did not know who he was? This past Monday, I received a telephone call from my father at around 8 pm, which was later than he and would usually talk by phone. Nevertheless, I was glad to receive his call and had good news of which I had no knowledge.

          He asked if I had watched the game show, Jeopardy that particular evening.  I was on my way to the store. I had not seen Jeopardy.

          He was eager to tell me about one of the contestants named Harvey Silkowitz. First of all, my father was interested because Harvey was announced as being from “West Orange New Jersey!”

          Great, I thought. But there was more, because Harvey has Parkinson’s Disease and clearly lives with the disorder. You can see it in his facial expression, by this stiff movements and relatively slow speech.

          But, because of all this, my father was really rooting for Harvey.

          On the show, Harvey was seated rather than standing like the other players but other than that, Harvey was the same. And, Harvey was so good that he knocked off the incumbent Jeopardy champ who had won a few days in row.

          Learning all of this, I felt so elated- transfigured – in my own attitude towards Parkinson’s and I was really hoping Harvey would win several more days so I could see him…and also share this moment with my father and whole family. We could be the Harvey fan club. And, I could run HQ here in West Orange, New Jersey!

          That would be devotion, right!

          In this regard, I am just like the regular disciples looking for faith, hope, and love in all the wrong places.

          Looking for material transfiguration and glory, such as money or the number of consecutive days as Jeopardy champ.

          Harvey reigned for one day.

          Bummer I thought.

          Of course, this is not the right way to view life.

          I congratulate Harvey on this achievement.  I just wanted his presence publicly and visually to last longer. I am like Peter who was building tents, monuments on the mountain to make the Transfiguration moment last longer.

          The cloudiness of my mother’s illness was brightened by this ray of Harvey sunshine, but is there not more than this? My mother herself has never been on Jeopardy, but she has immeasurable value in our lives.

          True glory and greatness and cannot be measured in material terms.

 

[__09_]    Our Lent began last Sunday with temptation and Jesus' 40 days in the desert, but His vision remained fixed on His mission. The Transfiguration affirms that Jesus' mission and true glory is found not in dazzling appearances but in His sacrificial love on the cross. This paradox reveals that true victory comes through surrender.

 

[__10_]    Listening to Christ in Our Climb

The disciples were likely discouraged by Jesus' path to suffering, but the Transfiguration offered them a glimpse of His ultimate glory. Similarly, we need moments of clarity—reminders of God's love and the hope of eternal life.

 

[__11_]    St. Joseph

March is also the month of Joseph, foster father of Jesus in the Holy Family and an example of one whose glory was in his humility and silence and faith.

 

The Transfiguration reassures us that even amid life's climbs, God is with us. We are called to listen to Him, to remember that Jesus is near, guiding us every step of the way.

 

May this Gospel strengthen our resolve, reminding us that while the climb is challenging, the summit—God's presence—is always worth it. Let us continue our journey, trusting that Jesus walks beside us. Listen to Him.

 

[end] 

Rules. Retreat. Relationship (2025-03-09, Lent 1)

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 [__v-08__]   Homily –  March 9, 2025 /  1^st Sunday Lent

● Deuteronomy 26:4-10 ● Psalm 91 ●  Romans 10:8-13 ●  + Luke  4:1-13 ● 

Title: Rules. Retreat. Relationship (Lent, Luke 4:1-13)

[_01_]  Jesus is in the desert. In some biblical and historical commentaries on this place and time, we see Jesus in the Gospel being compared to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were also called to fast, not from everything, but they were called to fast from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Jesus is fasting in the desert as an act of obedience, as an act of connection to God, not just showing that he can observe the rules,  but also that he can recover.

It's an act of recovery and also the foundation of new relationship with us and with God.

[_02_]   Many years ago, I had a summer job as a server at a hotel that did banquet-style dinners.

The maître d' would explain the rules for each event. One night, we served "family style," bringing large platters for guests to serve themselves. He described it as, "Like when your mother slaps a pot of potatoes on the table."

My friends and I still are amused at his rules and regulations for FAMILY STYLE.

Lent, too, has rules about fasting and abstinence. But is faith just about rules? In any relationship, boundaries exist not for repression but for connection. Lent is not about punishment; it is about recovery and relationship with Christ. It calls us to both fasting and living "family style."

 

[_03_]  Rules & Reasons

Abstaining from meat on Fridays honors Christ’s sacrifice. Since the first century, Christians have recognized Friday as a day of penance. The law of the Church calls us to abstinence from meat on Fridays of Lent, and Catholics 14 and older are called to observe this practice.

Outside of Lent, on the other Fridays of the year, another meaningful penance may be substituted.

I get it:  You are saying, hey Padre, Friday is a day for celebrations not “regulations”.

          There is even a restaurant: TGI Fridays

 Restaurants tempt us with steak dinners. If skipping meat is difficult, consider another quiet sacrifice, such as omitting a meal earlier in the day or not eating dessert.

The point is not just removing something, but making space for God.

 [_04_]  Rest & Recovery in Fasting

We naturally fast between meals to digest.  This a natural example of “retreat”, “rest”, “recovery”.

          And, while fasting may seem difficult, the opposite of fasting is an extreme to avoid,

          if we have eaten too much, consumed too much rich food, then no matter what is put in front of us, we may be incapable of eating what is truly good. Intellectually, I may recognize spinach salad or asparagus as healthy, but if I am already stuffed, I will avoid even these!

          The same could be true if I am over-saturated or over-indulged in entertainment or news or information. I only hear what I want to hear and disregard the rest.

          Fasting, in this regard, is not only about “abstaining” but also “sustaining”, not about rejection but recovery. Fasting is healthy spiritually too.

          For example, it is often an exercise in “fasting” to be a good listener, to listen to your spouse, your children, your parents. Talking is good, but we can fast from talking to listen and hear each other and hear God’s word.

          Coming to Mass is not only a one-hour food fast prior to Holy Communion but also a fast from socializing, talking, conversing, texting and all forms of media. You got this!

Fasting is not just abstaining but sustaining, a way to rest, retreat, and grow in unity with God—"family style."

 [_05_]  Relationships & Fasting

Jesus is asking us to fast, not to deprive ourselves, but to make room for him. And this is summarized by the prophet Isaiah. This is the fasting I wish, releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless.

Fasting is about our relationship with God and neighbor and creation.

Balance.

On the one hand, we can and do take bread or soup that we are not eating and bring it to church or to the poor. This is good but not the only way to fast.

When you're hungry, when you're fasting, you can make a prayer for those who are physically hungry, physically starving, famished. There are people in our own community, who live in what we call sociologically “food deserts”.

They may not have access to supermarkets. They may live in neighborhoods where they can't get to stores or lack transportation. There are many reasons that people are starving. Some of it is poverty, some of it is transportation, and not all our neighbors are far away. So we can unite ourselves to those who are very hungry by our own fast to pray for the hungry and to pray that they will they will be given what they need.

Our fasting is meant to be an act of mercy towards those we love and even towards those we do not know.  

[_06_]    I pray that these 40 days of Lent and our practice of the faith may help all of us to rest and recover by fasting and also relate … to render unto God what belongs to God, what originates from Him, not only our desires, but also our flesh and blood, body and soul and to make room for his Son to live in you and live in me, family style.

Ash Wednesday 2025

 [Version 03 Ash Wednesday Homily: Entering God’s Reward, English]

Do you belong to any rewards programs? Whether it’s a store like Staples or an airline like United, many of us are familiar with how these programs work. We sign up, make purchases, accumulate points, and eventually redeem them.

Recently, I went to Staples, the office supply store, knowing I had a Staples reward card. I made a purchase, and they told me I had $10 in rewards. Then I realized I hadn’t bought everything I needed, so I picked up another item for $17 and asked, “Can I use my reward points now?” The representative said, “Sorry, no, you have to wait until it processes in the system.”

Sometimes, you do not get your rewards right away. Our faith journey is similar. God’s rewards do not come instantly; they require patience, trust.

It is tempting to view Lent as a transaction: we give up something—chocolate, social media, or meat on Fridays—and in return, we celebrate with Easter feasts. But Jesus is not asking, “What’s in your wallet?” like a credit card company. He is asking, “What’s in your heart?”

One of the “rewards” of fasting, sacrifice, and prayer during Lent is discovering our true priorities. In moments of crisis, we can ask God: “Lord, show me what is most important.”

Worldly Rewards vs. God’s Rewards

This time of year is also “award season” in Hollywood—the Oscars, the Grammys, the Emmys. Many of us enjoy watching these ceremonies, not just for the glamour, but for the acceptance speeches. The best speeches are filled with humility and gratitude.

True love and faith are not transactional; they are transformative. Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.”

Structure of God’s Rewards Program: Declaration, Denial, Delight

Declaration   To join a rewards program, you must sign up. Similarly, we declare our faith publicly. Receiving ashes today is one way of saying, “I belong to God.”

Denial   Any rewards program involves sacrifice. If you want airline miles, you need to take multiple flights. Likewise, Lent calls us to deny ourselves. Jesus says, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Delight   The true delight is not an earthly prize—it is aligning our hearts with God’s love. God loves the poor, the outcast, the broken. Do we love what He loves?

Unlike a retail store or airline rewards program, God’s program does not have a database where we can check our points. The true reward is a transformed heart and eternal life with Him.

The ashes we receive today remind us that earthly things pass away, but our souls are made for something greater.

So as we begin this Lenten season, let us embrace God’s invitation. Let us declare our faith, deny ourselves for the sake of the Gospel, and delight in what God delights in. The journey may require patience, but the ultimate reward is beyond anything we can imagine.

 

[Ver. 03 Ash Wednesday Homily: Entering God’s Reward, Spanish]

¿Pertenece a algún programa de recompensas? Ya sea en una tienda como Staples o en una aerolínea como United, muchos estamos familiarizados con cómo funcionan estos programas. Nos inscribimos, realizamos compras, acumulamos puntos y, eventualmente, los canjeamos por descuentos o beneficios.

Recientemente, fui a Staples con mi tarjeta de recompensas. Compré algo y me informaron que tenía $10 acumulados. Luego, me di cuenta de que me faltaba algo y compré otro artículo por $17. Pregunté si podía usar mis puntos, y el empleado respondió: “Lo siento, debe esperar hasta que el sistema lo procese.”

A veces, las recompensas no llegan de inmediato. Hay que esperar. De alguna manera, nuestra vida de fe es similar. Las recompensas de Dios no son automáticas; requieren fe, paciencia y confianza.

Es tentador ver la Cuaresma como una transacción: dejamos el chocolate, reducimos el uso de redes sociales o evitamos la carne los viernes, y a cambio celebramos en Pascua. Pero Jesús no nos pregunta: “¿Qué hay en tu billetera?” Nos pregunta: “¿Qué hay en tu corazón?”

Una de las “recompensas” del ayuno, el sacrificio y la oración en Cuaresma es descubrir nuestras verdaderas prioridades. En los momentos de crisis, podemos pedir a Dios: “Señor, muéstrame qué es lo más importante.”

En esta época también es la "temporada de premios" en Hollywood—los Oscar, los Grammy, los Emmy. A muchos nos gusta ver estas ceremonias, no solo por el glamour, sino también por los discursos. Los mejores están llenos de humildad y gratitud.

El verdadero amor y la verdadera fe no son transacciones; son transformaciones. Jesús nos dice: “Amen a sus enemigos. Oren por quienes los persiguen.”

La estructura del programa de recompensas de Dios: Declaración, negación y deleite

Declaración.  Para unirse a un programa de recompensas, hay que registrarse. De manera similar, declaramos nuestra fe públicamente. Recibir la ceniza hoy es una forma de decir: “Yo pertenezco a Dios.”

Negación Todo programa de recompensas requiere sacrificio. Para acumular millas, hay que viajar varias veces. De manera similar, la Cuaresma nos llama a negarnos a nosotros mismos. Jesús dice: “Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo, tome su cruz y sígame.”

Deleite  El verdadero gozo no es un premio terrenal—es alinear nuestro corazón con el amor de Dios. Dios ama a los pobres, a los marginados, a los quebrantados. ¿Amamos nosotros lo que Él ama?

A diferencia de los programas de recompensas comerciales, el programa de Dios no tiene una base de datos para consultar nuestros puntos. La verdadera recompensa es un corazón transformado y la vida eterna con Él.

Las cenizas que recibimos hoy nos recuerdan que lo terrenal es pasajero, pero nuestra alma está hecha para algo mayor.

Al comenzar esta Cuaresma, aceptemos la invitación de Dios. Declarémonos como sus hijos, neguémonos por el Evangelio y encontremos gozo en lo que Dios ama. La recompensa final es inimaginable. Amén.