Sunday Inbox Inspiration: November 29, 2020: 1st Sunday of Advent Cycle B

 Sunday Inbox Inspirations 

November 29, 2020

1st Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

 

The Preciousness of Time 

 

From my ministry as a priest, and from my family and personal life, I have heard some very good wisdom.

 

I have heard statements from persons who have lived with cancer or other life-threatening diseases. And I have heard statements from those who have survived major coronary problems or a stroke.

 

Their illnesses have taught them an invaluable lesson. They say that every second that flashes on your watch and every hour of the day is precious.  

 

These persons explain how you learn to prize people. They explain how you come to understand that others can be as fragile and as fearful as you have been.

 

Every walk in the woods becomes an encounter with the sacred. Every hour spent with your spouse and children and friends becomes special.

 

Every moment spent with another person becomes too important to waste on put-downs and pettiness, or on judgment and rejection. You don’t quarrel anymore; you discuss.

 

Joy, peace, and reconciliation are the driving forces in your life. Paradoxically, even though you have had the life-threatening illness and deserve compassion, you develop compassion and empathy for others. 

 

So, many of those who have had these illnesses can help the rest of us to realize that our time is finite and limited, that “later” is “now” and that “tomorrow” is “today.” They can lead us to cherish every moment we have.

 

Advent: Watch

 

Advent, the season that we begin this weekend, presents the same theme.

 

Advent alerts us to how finite and limited our time is. It confronts us with the reality that our lives are precious and fragile.  

 

It is interesting that in today’s brief gospel parable, Jesus uses the word “watch” or “watchful” four times. I guess he doesn’t want us to miss the point.

 

Watch

 

I am seeing four ways of watching or being watchful in response to Jesus using that word four times. 

 

First, we are to watch out for the long term of life. 

 

We are not to lose ourselves in any one season, including this Christmas season, or in any one comfort or problem, including the pandemic. Instead, we are to watch out for the long term of life and the kind of person we will want to be when the last chapter of our life on this earth has arrived.

 

Then we are to watch out for the big picture, the broad perspective of things.  

 

We are not to get boxed in by a narrow vision of life and of the world. Instead, we are to watch out for the big picture, the broad perspective –God’s own perspective – of the well-being of my family and my community and also of others whom I only know from the news.  

 

Next, we are to watch for how God comes to us each day.  

 

We are not to be insensitive to the truth that God comes to us in everyday ways. Instead, we are to be watchful for how God comes to us in an affirming comment from your spouse or friend or even in the starkness of winter.

 

And finally, we are to watch for how I can bring God to others.  

 

We are not to miss opportunities to do good and then be guilty of what we call sins of omission. Instead, we are to be watchful for opportunities to pray, to read Scripture, or bake a casserole for those who have nothing to eat and maybe no place to live. 

 

Conclusion

 

So, Jesus and the Advent season call us to be watchful in these ways.  

 

This watchfulness is our way to accept the wisdom of those who have had serious illnesses. And it is our way to be prepared and ready for that second coming of Christ.  

 

Fr. Michael Schleupner 

 

Inbox Inspiration: November 25, 2020: Thankfulness

Thankfulness

 

Dear Friends,
Near Thanksgiving Day every year, I write a reflection on thankfulness.
This seems more important to do this year than ever before.
It has not been an easy year.
The Covid-19 pandemic which has brought sickness, even death to some, the loss of jobs and financial troubles to many others, and some changes to daily life for practically all of us (maybe not having the usual family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner) – these and other factors have made 2020 difficult and maybe painful.
We cannot hide this.
And yet, tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, we are invited to give thanks.
This moment recalls for me the words of one of our Catholic spiritual writers: “In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline.”
Those wise words really speak to me this year.
Being grateful is a choice.
So, we can choose to thank God:
for this Thanksgiving Day and each day of life,
for the number of years of life we have had,
for the family and friends who bring life to us,
for the years we had with those close to us who have died,
for the love that has been shown to us and the love we have shown to others,
for food and water, for a home and health care, for a job and livelihood,
and for…
Jesus has given us the Eucharist, the sacrament of his real presence with us.
Our English word Eucharist comes directly from a Greek word that means to give thanks.
So, the heart of the Mass, the heart of the Eucharist, is our giving thanks to God.
Let’s choose to give thanks at Mass every week and to name one thing every day for which to give thanks to God. 
 
Father Michael Schleupner
 
(Quotation above from The Return of the Prodigal Son by Father Henri J. M. Nouwen.)

Sunday Inbox Inspiration: November 22, 2020: Feast of Christ the King Cycle A

 Sunday Inbox Inspirations 

November 22, 2020
Feast of Christ the King
 Cycle A

 

The Big Question

 

This morning, let’s think about a big question.
 
What determines our final destiny? What do we have to do to experience eternal life with God?
 
What do we have to do to reach an inner peace that will never be taken away? What do we have to do to get to heaven?
 
All of these are really the same question. I am guessing that each of us thinks about these questions from time to time.

 

The Surprising Answer

 
The answer Jesus gives in today’s gospel parable may be surprising.
 
And, by the way, in all four gospels, this is the only description of what the Last Judgment will be like. The gospels don’t describe the Last Judgment anywhere else, so I think this is worth our attention.
 
Jesus says that those of us who are a blessing to others will inherit the kingdom. The kingdom is Jesus’ expression for eternal live, for lasting happiness and peace, for heaven.
 
Jesus says that those of us who care for the least in our world will enter the kingdom. We might expect that Jesus would give some other answer related to Church teaching or the visible practice of our faith. 
 
That’s why I say that Jesus’ answer may be surprising. And in a way, it is even more surprising because the sheep in the parable, the ones who do care for the least persons, they admit that they do not see Jesus in these least persons.
 
They just do what they can to care for them, and Jesus says this is what leads them into the kingdom. Let’s look at some examples of what this might be like for us.
 

The Answer: Personal

 
In our personal lives, maybe you have a parent or spouse who is suffering with dementia. Step by step, he or she is diminishing right before your eyes.
 
This is very painful to deal with and witness. But, you make sure you give time to them.
 
You want them to feel that you are there and that they are not alone. Jesus says: “I was ill, and you cared for me.”
 
Or maybe you have a son or daughter in college who is floundering. They are neglecting their studies and hanging out with the wrong crowd.
 
You know that they are hungering for something – acceptance, belonging, purpose – something to help make sense of their lives.  You lay down some boundaries, but above all you are there for them.
 
You try to discern their feelings and you try to provide emotional and spiritual nourishment. Jesus says: “I was hungry, and you gave me food.”
 

The Answer: Societal

 
Then, on the broader level of our society, maybe we see a man standing at a traffic intersection. He looks unshowered, he is wearing raggedy clothes, and he’s holding a cardboard sign that says: “Homeless.  Out of work. Need job or money.”
 
We don’t know what is true or how any money we would give him will be used. But still, we reflect on how this man might have gotten to this point and how humiliating this must be for him.  
 
We may or may not offer him some money, but we do pray for him and for others who are in the same straits. Jesus says: “I was naked, and you clothed me.”
 
And then there are many complicated issues before our country and our world. And we look at these in a time that is very challenging.
 
We can be tempted to form opinions only from the viewpoint of our own wellbeing, of what’s best for me. But instead, we try to take a broader perspective and think about the common good of everyone.
 
We try to take into account those who lack the basics for life and even for survival. Jesus says: “Whatever you do for these least of mine, that you do for me.”
 

Conclusion

 
So, Jesus deals with a big question today, and his answer may be surprising.
 
It is whoever cares for the least, even if we don’t see Jesus in them, we will enter the kingdom of God. That’s the message of the only Last Judgment scene in the gospels.
 
Fr. Michael Schleupner 
 

Inbox Inspiration: November 18, 2020: Hang in There

Hang in There   Dear Friends, We are all very aware of the present dramatic surge in the Covid-19 pandemic. We are in a very difficult and painful moment.  At the same time, there is hope. A vaccine might be ready for initial distribution before the end of December. Still, it will be some months before that is generally available to all of us.  So, my message today is: hang in there! Embrace, like maybe we never have before, embrace the virtue of perseverance. Perseverance means that we remain steadfast and faithful to some goal or responsibility even when it is difficult to do that. So, yes, wear a mask, stay socially distant, and wash our hands. These measures help to protect us and others from contracting the virus. They are proven ways of being good stewards of our body and caring for the common good of all.  And beyond these ways, here are some other recommendations for hanging in there, for persevering (I first mentioned these in my Inbox of March 25, 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic):   Pray. Use prayers that you know by heart, go online for a variety of sources of prayer, watch Sunday, or even daily Mass being livestreamed. Drawing upon God for strength is important always and especially right now.  Maintain a daily schedule. This is important so that we don’t just passively go through the day with no sense of purpose. A schedule will help us to stay engaged in life and use well the time God gives us. Stay connected. Be caring and patient with those in our household. Reach out by phone, email, text, or other social media to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or fellow parishioners. Exercise. Stay physically active at least by cleaning or doing laundry. Take a walk outside, run, jog, or do whatever form of exercise works for you.  Limit news. Stay up on the news to know what is happening. But limit this to an hour a day and don’t let it become all-consuming and life-draining. Hang in there! Persevere!   Father Michael Schleupner

Sunday Inbox Inspiration: November 15, 2020: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

 Sunday Inbox Inspirations 

November 15, 2020

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle A


 

The Giftedness of Children

 

Some years ago, I read a story about a young man named Brian.

 

Brian always loved to tinker with mechanical devices. As a 6-year old, he took apart a remote-control toy car.

 

At age 9, Brian helped his dad fix the lawn mower. In high school, he spent hours rebuilding computer equipment.

 

And as a young adult, Brian became a sound technician for a theatre company. His parents steadily encouraged him from a very young age.

 

But, Brian, in his school years, was never labeled as “gifted.” The definition of the “gifted child” was traditionally limited to the top 5 to 10% of children who achieved high test scores in school.

 

No question, these children are gifted, but, there may be other ways for children to be gifted. Today, educators and psychologists tell us that nearly all children have special gifts.

 

Children may display their giftedness through words, numbers, music, sports, technical skill, social interaction, intuitive insight, creativity, and on it goes. Many professionals now say that all children have gifts, and they just vary from one child to another.

 

Our Gifts and the Gospel 

 

I came across these insights in an article entitled Fifty Ways to Bring Out Your Child’s Best.  

 

This was written by Dr. Thomas Armstrong, the Director of the American Institute of Learning and Human Development. The article has led me to see today’s gospel parable from a slightly different perspective.

 

Instead of reflecting on the use of our own gifts, I am thinking about how we can encourage others, especially children, in using their gifts. The article gives 50 ways to bring out the best in children; this morning, I want to share just 5 of these with you. 

 

Five Ways to Bring Out a Child’s Gifts

 

First, look for what really interests children. Be alert to what captures their attention in a positive way.

 

These interests may say a lot about where their gifts are. By being alert to this, we are in effect letting children discover their own giftedness.  

 

In today’s gospel parable, the number of talents – 5, 2, or 1 – does not just mean having more or less talent than others. These numbers also represent different kinds of gifts, and our task is to help children identify their own unique gifts.

 

Second, encourage children, but do not push or pressure them too much. If we do that, they may become too stressed and not develop their gifts well.

 

The master in today’s parable does not pressure. He simply gives his servants the gifts and the opportunities to use them.

 

Third, allow children to make some mistakes. If they have to do everything perfectly, they may never take the risks necessary to discover and develop their gifts.

 

It’s important to assist a child in realizing a mistake and learning from it. But first, we need to allow some appropriate freedom to make mistakes.

 

And the fourth rule is connected with this: don’t criticize children in a way that puts them down. Instead, give them encouragement and constructive criticism.

 

These last two rules – 1) allowing children to make some mistakes and 2) not putting them down – are borne out in the third servant in the gospel parable. He feels afraid and intimidated, and the result is that he does not develop his gifts.

 

And the fifth rule: accept children as they are. Maybe your son is musically inclined and does not have a lot of athletic ability.

 

Or maybe your daughter is more into computers than dance. The important thing is to take children as they are, because that will be the best environment for using their gifts and for becoming the persons God intended them to be.      

 

Fr. Michael Schleupner 

 

Sunday Inbox Inspiration: November 8, 2020: Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

 (Instead of a regular homily, the pastor spoke at all Masses this weekend about stewardship or offertory renewal. Therefore, today I am posting a homily which I gave at Mass this past Friday.)   

 
Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time
November 6, 2020      11:00 a.m.
Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center 
Readings:   
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 16:1-8
 

This past Sunday, I had a Zoom visit with my brother and sister-in-law who live in Roanoke, Virginia.
As you know, with Zoom and Facetime and other technologies like them, we can be miles away from each other and still see one another as we talk.
What a blessing this has been for families and friends and businesses and everyone during this pandemic!
Then there is the capacity of our computers and cell phones and GPS systems – some years ago, we would never have imagined such conveniences.
But, imagination and initiative have led to so many things that have improved or made our lives more comfortable. 
 
It’s that kind of imagination and initiative that Jesus praises in today’s gospel parable.
And, let’s be clear, that’s the only thing he is praising here.
Jesus is not praising the dishonesty of the steward in the story.
That guy was dishonest in managing his boss’ business, and Jesus is not condoning that. 
Rather, Jesus’ one point is to call us to have the imagination and initiative that this guy had, but to have it when it comes to the things of God.
So, he wants us to be imaginative and take the initiative when it comes to our personal relationship with God.
He wants us to look for ways to carve out time for prayer and even to look for new forms of prayer that will bring us closer to God. 
Jesus also wants us to be imaginative and take the initiative when it comes to our relationships with each other.  
He wants us to look for the right way to show empathy for that family member who is hurting and even to figure out ways for the last and the least and the lost in our society to have enough.
 
So, be as imaginative and take as much initiative in the things of God as in the things of the world – that’s the message today.    
 
Father Michael Schleupner 

Sunday Inbox Inspiration: November 1, 2020: Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time

 Sunday Inbox Inspirations 

November 1, 2020

 

(Parish deacons preached at the Sunday Masses. Therefore, today I am sharing a homily which I gave at Mass this past Friday.)   

 

Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time

October 30, 2020       11 a.m.

Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, Marriottsville

Readings:   Philippians 1:1-11

Luke 14:1-6

 

This morning I want to point out two details in the gospel.

And I think each detail has some lesson for us.

 

First, today we see the fourth time in Luke’s gospel where Jesus heals someone on a Sabbath day.

There are two incidents of this in John’s gospel and one in Mark’s – a total of seven such incidents where Jesus heals on the Sabbath.

What is the significance?

Why the Sabbath and why not a Monday or Friday or whenever?

The idea seems to be that the physical healing points to spiritual healing.

Jesus physically heals on the Sabbath to highlight the spiritual healing that the Sabbath is all about, the spiritual wholeness that he as God brings to human life.

Jesus now offers us that spiritual healing through the Eucharist and the other sacraments, through the inspired Word of God, and also through the wisdom and compassion of one another.  

It is helpful for us to recall how Jesus offers us spiritual healing and wholeness today. 

 

Then, Jesus does this healing while he is having dinner with a leading Pharisee.

Throughout Luke’s gospel, Jesus shares meals with those labeled as sinners – like tax collectors.

And he shares meals with those not labeled as sinners but who still are sinners – like the religious leaders who were sinners because of their self-righteousness.

Jesus consistently draws others to God by being with them, by communion with them.

He does not try to do this by excluding or shunning others or keeping distant from them.

I think this is a lesson that we as a Church and we as individual persons of faith need to bear in mind. 

We draw others to God by including and not by excluding. 

 

So, two details in today’s passage and each of them, I believe, contains an important lesson for us. 

 

Father Michael Schleupner