Inbox Inspiration: June 28, 2020: 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

13 ^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A 

Sometimes Jesus exaggerates.
Like the time he tells us to pluck out our eye if it is a source of sin.
He exaggerates to make a point – the point: avoiding sin must be a high priority.
So, here today, Jesus says that if we love family more than we love him, we are not worthy of him.
Now, give me a break!
This is the same Jesus who says that he came to fulfill and not to do away with any of the commandments.
That includes the fourth commandment about honoring our father and mother.
So, I have to assume that Jesus is not telling us today to disregard our families or that he and his way are opposed to our being devoted to our loved ones.
That can’t be it.
What then is it?
He’s telling us to stick to his way and his teachings and his values, even if those persons closest to us are not doing that.
I remember once many years ago at a gathering of my family, someone was using the “N” word.
I said nothing; maybe I even went along with it in a non-verbal sort of way.
Sometime after that, I was talking with a black woman whom I knew rather well.
We were talking about racism, and I shared with her this experience in my own family.
She made no comment about my family.
She just asked me, “Father, what did you say?”
When I told her that I said nothing, she graciously but firmly told me that I needed to speak up in those situations and at least say that I was uncomfortable with that way of speaking about blacks.
Well, I think that’s the kind of thing Jesus means today when he tells us to make him first – even ahead of family at times.
  
Father Michael Schleupner

In addition to the usual Wednesday edition of Inbox Inspirations, I am continuing at least for now these Special Inbox Inspirations on Sundays. I began these when the coronavirus pandemic began. 

Inbox Inspiration: June 21, 2020: 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle A
June 21, 2020

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton

Our Fears

About twenty-five years ago, I had an injury to my neck and my doctor sent me for an MRI.

I was afraid and dreading this – having to lie down motionless in that narrow, enclosed tube.  As soon as I got in there, I felt a bit claustrophobic and I quickly decided to do two things: keep my eyes closed and pray the rosary – I used my fingers to count the Hail Mary’s.

The MRI lasted about thirty minutes. The prayer helped me to deal with my fear of being in such a closed space. 

I am sure that many of you have had MRIs and you know what I am talking about. And, of course, besides this fear of closed spaces, there are other fears that we may have: like right now, the fear of getting infected with the coronavirus; or the fear of confronting a problem with your spouse; or the fear of losing your job.

My bet is that all of us have some fears. We all have something that we are afraid of.

 

Have No Fear 

Now, in today’s gospel, Jesus tells us three times not to be afraid.

Jesus is very aware of the many challenges and struggles that we will have to face.  But still, he repeatedly says, “Do not be afraid.” 

Well, the simple truth is that at times, we do have fears and we are afraid.  We can try to deny or repress our fear and pretend that it isn’t there, but we all know that this doesn’t really work. 

So, what can we do?  Jesus teaches us how to approach this.
 

Have Faith

He first says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?

“Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s knowing about it.” The Greek word for “fall to the ground” really means to “alight” or “lights upon the ground.”

So amazingly, Jesus is saying that every time even one little sparrow just touches the ground lightly, the heavenly Father notices. And God does this even though sparrows are so numerous and of little monetary value.

And then Jesus says, “Even the hairs on your head are all counted.”   Obviously, that requires a little more work from God for some of us guys than it does for others!

But Jesus’ point with these two images is that God is always watching over and caring for us. And so, we need to turn to God in the midst of our fear.

Our fear will probably not go away. But faith and prayer will help us to deal with it and do what we have to do or what God wants us to do in a particular situation.
 

Fear Kills/Faith Gives Life

Some years ago, I came across a book entitled A Sense of Self by Howard Thurman.

Thurman tells what he calls a folk tale. According to this folk tale, in late summer a rattlesnake sheds its old skin and a new skin takes its place.

During this time, the snake remains basically immobile and blind, but at the slightest movement near it, it tries to strike out. And if some object touches its body, the snake in its fear strikes the spot that was touched.

But when it does this, it releases into its own body the deadly poison from its fangs. So, in its fear and panic, the snake destroys itself. 

This folk tale helps us to see the contrast between fear and faith, or more precisely, between fear and fear with faith. It helps us to realize that fear destroys life, while faith gives life.

Fear diminishes us as persons, while faith frees us to become all that we can be. And perhaps most important of all, fear removes hope, while faith gives us hope.

So, when you get down to the bottom of things, it is not really a question of fear or faith. Rather, it is a question of bringing faith to our fear.

That, I believe, is what Jesus means when he repeatedly says, “Do not be afraid.”

Inbox Inspiration: June 14, 2020: Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ 
 

The food that Jesus gave us at the Last Supper – the Eucharist – works differently from ordinary food.
For example, plants absorb nutrients from the soil and transform them into plant cells.
The nutrients become an integral part of the plant.
We human beings eat broccoli and other vegetables, chicken and other proteins, spaghetti and other carbs and transform all of this into our body cells.
All of this nutrition becomes an integral part of our human body.
This is how the world of nature works.
The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, supernatural food, works in reverse.
When we eat this spiritual food, we do not transform it into our own body.
Instead, this food transforms us into the Body of Christ.
Little by little, it makes us into Christ-like persons.
We, of course, have to do our part to allow this to happen.
I especially recommend one thing for us to do.
When we are about to receive Communion and say “Amen” to the words “The Body of Christ,” let’s make sure that we mean what we say.
Let’s make sure that we mean: “Yes, I believe this is the Body of Christ, and I want to receive Christ who is present here.”
And even more!
“Yes, I believe this is the sacramental Body of Christ, and I want this to transform me into the living Body of Christ.”
Being aware and intentional about the way we receive Communion – this will allow the food that Jesus offers to transform us.
It will make us more like Christ, more like God.
This sacramental Body of Christ will make us the living Body of Christ on this earth.
  
Father Michael Schleupner

In addition to the usual Wednesday edition of Inbox Inspirations, I will be continuing at least for now these Special Inbox Inspirations on Sundays. I began these when the coronavirus pandemic began. 
 

Inbox Inspiration: June 10, 2020: Spirituality

Spirituality – 1   
 

Dear Friends,
I have decided to do a few columns on the topic of spirituality.
In Catholicism and much of Christianity, and, I think, in other faith traditions also, this has become a major focus over the past fifty years.
And it should be!
Why? Because we all have a spirituality, whether we know it or not.
What is spirituality?
The place to begin is with the longing that is within us.
We all have a longing within us.
This longing is implanted within us, part of our very being.
It is a longing for more, which we may for a long time identify as a longing for something more.
In fact, it is really a longing for someone more, but Someone spelled with a capital S.
It is a longing for God.
Father Ronald Rolheiser, a very fine Catholic theologian, says that spirituality is what we do about this longing or this desire for God.
That is a helpful and easy way to understand this.
My own homemade definition of spirituality is this:
an inner sense of God and myself and of our relationship, along with my expressing this in prayer and in the way I live.
Notice that I begin my definition with the word inner.
Spirituality means that we have an inner life.
This is very important, but it can be difficult to have in our culture.
In our culture, lots of sound or noise and lots of activity draw us out of ourselves. An effect of this is that we are never led to go inside, to go within ourselves, and to be attentive to our inner life.
We need an inner life to have a spirituality.
In the upcoming Inbox Inspirations, I will look at five elements that I see as core for this inner life and for a Christian (Catholic) spirituality.
They are: 1) Faith, 2) Prayer, 3) Habit, 4) Connectedness, and 5) Beauty.

Gracious God, help us to remember: our hearts are restless until they rest in you! Amen!
Father Michael Schleupner

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Spirituality – 2   
 

Dear Friends,
The first core element of a spirituality may seem so obvious that we would not even have to say it.
It is this: we need at least a basic faith about life, about God, and about some of the particulars relating to God and us.
So, each Sunday at Mass, we offer the Profession of Faith: that there is a God, that God is Father and Creator, that God’s Son took on our humanity, suffered, was crucified and rose from the dead, and that God remains with us through the Holy Spirit.
We also profess our faith in the catholic Church – catholic spelled with a small c, meaning universal or global – and in the resurrection of the dead.
So, we’ve got some core beliefs, and these are the building blocks of our spirituality.
One of our Catholic theologians makes an interesting observation about our Profession of Faith.
He points out what he calls the great comma – the great comma.
In our Creed, we speak of Christ, and we say that he was ..."conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried…”
Notice: we jump from Jesus’ birth to his death and skip all that was in between.
We unfortunately skip so many essential pieces of the gospels.
For example, we also need to include in our belief the Beatitudes, Jesus’ blueprint for the kind of person we are to become, like: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” 
Also, we must also assent to and live Jesus’ ultimate criterion for being a disciple: “Whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, that we do for him.” 
So, faith, an inner faith, a faith expressed in our Creed, and a faith that includes essential pieces in the gospels – this is fundamental to our spirituality.
See my Inbox Inspirations from last week, June 10, for the introduction on Spirituality, and stay tuned in the coming weeks for more on this topic.

Gracious God, help us to remember: our hearts are restless until they rest in you! Amen!
Father Michael Schleupner

When this series on Spirituality concludes, my plan is to do several reflections on Racism – probably beginning on July 22.

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Spirituality – 3   

Dear Friends,
Last week I reflected on faith as the first core element of spirituality.
Today my attention turns to prayer as the next core element.
Fundamentally, prayer is our consciously or intentionally being with God.
Some kind of personal prayer needs to be part of spirituality.
And notice that I am speaking of personal prayer.
This is in addition to Mass and other sacramental or communal prayer experiences.
There are three basic types of personal prayer.
First, there is Verbal Prayer – prayers like the Liturgy of the Hours, the rosary, Stations of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, and books of contemporary prayers.
These are pre-set prayers, prayers composed by another that we now pray.
Second, there is Meditative Prayer.
This is our conversation with God.
Here we make time for God to speak to us, especially in a passage of the gospel.
We reflect on this, and then we speak to God about it and how it relates to our life.
Finally, there is Contemplative Prayer.
Here our prayer is mostly silence – just being quiet and alone with God.
It’s almost like just showing up and letting God do the rest.
As I said, some kind of personal prayer is a core part of spirituality.
Probably all of us already have some form of Verbal Prayer in our lives.
And so, I recommend that we consciously make space for some Meditative and some Contemplative Prayer.
Meditative Prayer, especially when it includes the gospel, keeps our faith – the first ingredient for spirituality – it keeps our faith alive and growing.
And Contemplative Prayer – if just a few minutes of silence at some point in the day – it assures that we have an inner life.
See my Inbox Inspirations from the last two weeks, June 10 and 17, and for the next three weeks for more on this topic of Spirituality.

Gracious God, help us to remember: our hearts are restless until they rest in you! Amen!
Father Michael Schleupner

When this series on Spirituality concludes, my plan is to do several reflections on Racism – probably beginning on July 22.

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Spirituality – 4   

Dear Friends,
In the past three weeks, I have reflected on Spirituality and on two of its core elements: Faith and Prayer.
Today my attention turns to the next core element: Habit.
If we think about it for just a second, we all have habits in our everyday lives.
When I get out of bed in the morning, I brush my teeth and shave and shower and get dressed – all of this out of habit.
It is estimated that 40 to 50% of the things we do in everyday life are out of habit.
A habit can be defined as any practice that we do regularly and routinely with little or no effort of the mind or the will.
So, it is something that we do without having to think about it or having to decide whether to do it or not – something that we have come to do automatically.
I am recommending that we work at developing a habit – if we don’t already have it – a habit of daily, personal prayer.
To do this, we need a time, a place, and a type of prayer.
Select a regular time of day that will work for you.
Maybe first thing in the morning before you really get the day started;
or maybe in the later part of the afternoon when you get home from work;
or maybe in the evening before going to bed.
And then, a place.
Maybe in your bedroom or somewhere in your home or apartment or condo where you can be alone for a few minutes and where it will be at least somewhat quiet.
And then, of course, we need to select the type of prayer.
Check out last week’s Inbox for ideas on this.
So, develop a habit of prayer; it is essential for spirituality.
See my Inbox Inspirations from the last three weeks, June 10, 17 and 24, and for the next two weeks for more on this topic of Spirituality.

Gracious God, help us to remember: our hearts are restless until they rest in you! Amen!
Father Michael Schleupner

When this series on Spirituality concludes, my plan is to do several reflections on Racism – probably beginning on July 22.

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Spirituality – 5   
 

Dear Friends,
In the past weeks, I have reflected on Spirituality and on three of its core elements: Faith, Prayer, and Habit.
Today my attention turns to the next core element: Connectedness.
On the one hand, spirituality is an inner reality – our sense of God and of self.
On the other hand, it also has an outer dimension – involving relationships.
Spirituality includes our connectedness with others.
I see this on several levels.
There is my immediate family and close friends:
the time I give to them, whether I am faithful in my commitment and loving in my words and actions – these qualities are important for human relationships.
And, they are also part of spirituality.
Then there is the big picture level:
my care for the common good of all God’s children on this earth is also part of my spirituality.
And finally, this connectedness also needs to get expressed in a faith community.
Worshiping with others, going to Mass, celebrating and receiving the Eucharist together – this is important.
The Bible and our theology tell us that God came to save us as a community, a people, all of us together, not just me personally in isolation from others.
Choosing not to live my relationship with God in a community of faith may lead to my becoming very narrow in my vision.
It could even lead to my becoming self-focused.
This, I believe, is the real risk of those who say they are spiritual but not religious. So, connectedness with a faith community is also an ingredient of spirituality.
See my Inbox Inspirations from the last four weeks, June 10, 17 and 24, and July 1, and for next week for more on this topic of Spirituality.

Gracious God, help us to remember: our hearts are restless until they rest in you! Amen!
Father Michael Schleupner

When this series on Spirituality concludes, my plan is to do several reflections on Racism – probably beginning on July 22.

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Spirituality – 6   
 

Dear Friends,
In the past weeks, I have reflected on Spirituality and on four of its core elements: Faith, Prayer, Habit, and Connectedness.
This series concludes today as my attention turns to one more core element: Beauty. Beauty, as an element of spirituality, may at first sound surprising.
By beauty, I mean nature – trees and forests, mountains and oceans – and works of art – paintings, sculpture, movies, music, and poetry.
Objects of beauty can put us in touch with the deeper and deepest realities of life.
In doing this, they can put us in touch with God and lead us to God.
They can give us glimpses of light when we are in darkness.
For example, the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. 
This movie – a work of beauty – has probably helped many people to stay focused or get refocused on God especially when they are in some personal darkness. 
Think of the beautiful piece of sculpture, The Pieta by Michelangelo.
This captivates almost everyone, regardless of their faith, in a profound way.
It expresses pain and suffering, but also love and compassion all at the same time.
Think of a crucifix or some statuary or stained-glass windows.
This religious art has a way of stirring faith and hope and leads us to God.
Or, just think of a walk on the beach at the ocean, or maybe a ride through the mountains of western Maryland.
There is something about the beauty here that just places us in touch with our inner self.
It can lift us and lead us to inner peace and to God.
So, make some space for beauty in your life.
It is part of a healthy spirituality.
It will awaken God’s presence within us and enhance our relationship with God.
See my Inbox Inspirations from the last five weeks, June 10, 17 and 24, and July 1 and 8 for more on this topic of Spirituality.

Gracious God, help us to remember: our hearts are restless until they rest in you! Amen!
Father Michael Schleupner

Next week, my plan is to begin some reflections on Racism.

 

Inbox Inspiration: June 7, 2020: Special - 24 Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

Special – 24
Solemnity of the Holy Trinity 
 

The Book of Genesis says that we are made “in God’s image and likeness.”
Today, we honor God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
So, because we are made “in God’s image and likeness,” there must be signs or traces in us of God as Father, as Son, and as Holy Spirit.  
For starters, let’s be aware of our desire to give life.
For many of us, this desire gets expressed by bringing a child into the world.
In my own case, this desire gets expressed by inspiring faith in others and assisting them in living happy lives.
Or think of the simple pleasure we get in bringing life from the earth by growing tomato plants or seeing petunias flower in our garden.
These are all sings or traces within us of God, the creator, God the Father.
Then, let’s be aware of our thirst to restore.
There is something within us that wants to restore a marriage to its original happiness.
There is something within us that wants to patch up a friendship that has grown distant.
And, if we are honest about it, look at our undeniable need to forgive and our restlessness when we do not forgive.
These are all signs or traces within us of God, Jesus Christ, God the Son.
And finally, let’s be aware of our passion for certain things.
Look at your passionate love for your parents or spouse or children or close friend.
Notice our ardent faith in God or strong commitment to the environment.
Think of our growth over the years in wisdom, understanding, and patience – or at least our desire for that!
These are all signs or traces within us of God, the Spirit, God the Holy Spirit.
So yes, we are made “in God’s image and likeness,” and yes, there are signs or traces within us of God, the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Father Michael Schleupner

In addition to the usual Wednesday edition of Inbox Inspirations, I will be continuing at least for now these Special Inbox Inspirations on Sundays. As you recall, I began these when the coronavirus pandemic began. 
 

Inbox Inspiration: June 5, 2020: Special - 23 Prayer and Guidance from Ignatius of Loyola

Special – 23
 Prayer and Guidance from Ignatius of Loyola 
 

From Heaven on March 1, 2020 (earth time)
“Dear people on earth,
I see you’re having a hard time finding the right attitude to the coronavirus. That’s not strange. Over the past few decades, science has made such progress that you have come to believe that a solution to every problem can be found in no time. Now it’s becoming clear all over the world that this is an illusion.
As Superior General of the rapidly growing Jesuit order, I was confronted with all possible and impossible problems for fifteen years. I would like to give you five tips through these difficult times. They are taken from my own experience.
         1.      At the time of this coronavirus, obey the doctors, the scientists, and the competent authorities as if it were God Himself. Even if you disagree with their decisions or do not understand them well, have the humility to accept that it is worth relying on their knowledge and experience. It will give you a clear conscience and allow you to make your contribution to the solution of the crisis.
         2.      Beware of fear. Fear never comes from God and does not lead to God. Fear often suggests to you all possible reasons why you should be afraid. Only, you don’t have to be afraid of it. The Lord takes care of you now, too. I know that from a well-informed celestial source. 
         3.      In times of crisis you do not benefit less, but more from prayer. Grant it to yourself to indulge in His love. It is the best antidote to fear.
         4.      In my Spiritual Exercises I wrote, ‘Love ought to manifest itself more by deeds than by words.’ Look after one another in whatever way you safely can, especially remembering the poor and the vulnerable.
         5.       Finally do not forget to live and enjoy life in all this. Whatever happens, every second you are given is a unique and precious gift. There’s nothing the coronavirus can do to change that.
United with you in everlasting prayer,
+ Ignatius”
 By Father Nikolaas Sintobin, SJ

This will be the last of my special Friday Inbox Inspirations which I began as the pandemic began. I will, of course, continue to do the Wednesday Inbox Inspirations.
Father Michael Schleupner 
 

Inbox Inspiration: June 3, 2020: Living Through This - 11

 Living Through This – 11   
 

Dear Friends,
Today is the 11^th and last reflection I am doing on the theme Living Through This.
Of course, the This in the title is the pandemic.
These reflections today kind of summarize the last 10 Inboxes and, I hope, will be good guidance for us in the months ahead. Here goes:
Trust in God, God’s presence, and God’s care for us.
“I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?... Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan.” (Matthew 6:26-28)
Thank God every day.
“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) 
Persevere in prayer.
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6)
Persevere through these difficult times.
“…We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
Use fully our days and our opportunities to do good. 
“The master said to his servant, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’” (Matthew 25:21) 
Remember that we are all vulnerable.
“Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
Take care of the vulnerable.
“…Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

May peace of Christ be with you!
Father Michael Schleupner
 

Inbox Inspiration: May 31, 2020: Special - 22 The Feast of Pentecost

 Special – 22
The Feast of Pentecost 
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

Our words are very important. They have an effect on us and to some extent, they form us as persons.
Our words also have an effect on others. They may lead others to feel esteemed or worthless, or to become angry or compassionate.
And our words have an effect on our relationship with God. So, my concern is that we need to be intentional about our use of words.
As the saying goes, we need to think before we speak. With this in mind, I see two simple rules as important for the kinds of words we are to use and not use.
First, use words that are affirming and not belittling. Lifting up the good qualities of others.
This will move them to continue to grow and become the best persons they can be. Don’t belittle others and make them feel and appear as no good.
Second, use words that are unitive and not divisive. Speak about the values or practices that you share in common with others.
This will strengthen relationships and community. Don’t say things that divide yourself from others and destroy bondedness that can be there.
On this Feast of Pentecost, we hear about the Holy Spirit coming down upon Jesus’ disciples. There is a miracle of language.
People who spoke many different languages understand what the disciples are saying. That was the effect of the Holy Spirit.
So, my idea is that when we use words that are affirming and unitive, God the Holy Spirit is flowing through us. This is a language that everyone can receive and understand, regardless of their native tongue.
And the results will be much like what we hear Saint Paul describing today. We will be one, one body, in one Spirit – one, regardless of differences.

Father Michael Schleupner

In addition to the usual Wednesday edition, I began these Special Inbox Inspirations on Fridays and Sundays when the Coronavirus Crisis began. On Fridays, there is a prayer related to the crisis and on Sundays, a reflection on the Sunday gospel. I hope these are helpful. 
 

Inbox Inspiration: May 29, 2020: Special - 21 Prayer in the Morning

 Special – 21
 Prayer in the Morning 

One of the things I have encouraged in these special editions of Inbox Inspirations is prayer – personal prayer.
I think this is always important for us – to have some personal prayer in our lives, in addition to Sunday Mass or worship services.
This is even more important as we live through this pandemic.
With that in mind, today I share with you a Morning Prayer.
I found this some years ago and really like it.
It is brief, but each sentence or phrase is rich and expresses something important as we begin a new day.
I recommend this to you for your own Morning Prayer.

“God, my friend,
I offer you this day.
Let all my prayer, work, joy, suffering today
join with the lives offered to you
by the whole People of God
and especially with our great Eucharist,
Jesus,
your Son and our Brother.
Let your Spirit be with me today,
especially in … 
And I ask your loving concern today,
especially for my friend …   
Remind me, through the day, that I am not alone.
Amen.”

From Daily Prayers for Busy People by Father William J. O’Malley, SJ.
 
In addition to the usual Wednesday edition, I began these Special Inbox Inspirations on Fridays and Sundays when the Covid-19 Crisis began. On Fridays, there is a prayer related to the crisis and on Sundays, a reflection on the Sunday gospel. I hope these are helpful.
Father Michael Schleupner