Monroe Young Adult Ministry: November 2013

A recap of our Young Adult Ministry Meeting on November 20, 2013:

Opening Prayer:

Lord, we would like to thank you for this day and for the bringing these young adults together in your name. We pray that you open our hearts and minds to your word as we read, meditate, reflect and rest upon the Mass Readings for this Sunday. Holy Spirit breathe in us tonight and always. Set our hearts on fire and lead us to show the love of God through all of our thoughts, desires, and actions.

Lord, like so many people, we love our comfort zone. The well-known routes around our towns and cities. Our favorite places to stop. The company of friends and family who understand us. The situations we feel that we can control. The things we are all comfortable with. We like when the rewards are certain and the risks are small. We confess that even when we do make the effort to reach out to others, sometimes we fail to reach very far. Sometimes we reach out and donate to familiar churches and charities in amounts that do not strain our budgets. God, please reveal to us places in our lives where we need to step across that line and break barriers, for only You crossed the ultimate barrier by suffering and dying for us on a cross. Lord, help us see the opportunities where we can stop making excuses and start making a difference. Maybe this could be with a family member or someone who we need to apologize to or make peace with, or a need in our towns that we can help with. Maybe this need is a short distance away and maybe it is half a world away. Whatever the case may be, please give us sharp eyes to see the lines we need to cross and give us the courage and strength to step across those lines no matter how uncomfortable it makes us. We know that only you are able to do this. We pray that you will show us, guide us, and lead us by your unrelenting grace and mercy.

Father, your truth is made known in your Word.
Guide us to seek the truth of the human person.
Teach us the way to love because you are Love.

Jesus, you embody Love and Truth.
Help us to recognize your face in the poor, suffering, and burdened.
Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people.

Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world.
Empower us to seek the common good for all persons.
Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen

Lectio Divina for Sunday November 24, 2013

First Reading: 2 SM 5:1-3
In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:
"Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back.
And the LORD said to you,
'You shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of Israel.'"
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,
King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of Israel.

Commentary: This reading shows a foreshadowing or a flavor of the passion of Jesus Christ (which is the Gospel for this Sunday). It is sad that the tribes of Israel only turned to David when their king had died, although they already knew of his ability to lead. This can correlate to how sometimes we also only turn to Jesus as our King when something in our lives goes awry. But, David is chosen as king by God and the Israelites welcome him as one of their own, although David was a Philistine. David was accepted as one of their own. In a similar way Jesus was chosen to humble himself to be born of a virgin and reign on earth (an now Heaven) as our King. We should likewise accept and welcome Jesus into our lives as our King, the King of Kings! In regards to the question regarding the anointing of King David as King: Read 1 Chronicles 12: 23-40. This passage describes the assembly and anointing of David.

Responsorial Psalm: PS 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5
R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Commentary: The first verse of the psalm that, "We will go up to the house of the Lord," gives us hope. This shows us that there is hope after death that we will be with God in Heaven, what a glorious picture this paints! By working in funeral homes some agree that upon a death this helps to lighten our greif and assure us that there is a reason why we should live faithful lives. Without the hope that we will go to the house of the Lord upon our deaths, the whole point of life is changed. Life would not be about what we can do to spread the love of God and help ourselves and others get to Heaven. Instead, the point of life would be self-gratification: to make as much money as we can, buy as many material things as we can and make ourselves as happy as possible with our time on Earth. The second verse of the psalm about the unity of Jerusalem. With the holy city divided, maybe this could be eluding to the unity that we need to embrace to reach the kingdom of God. We need to show the love to others and grow in our unity with others and with God. Also, at times people argue the point that they do not need to go to church on Sunday to worship God. You can worship God while you're hunting in the woods or doing other activities. However, by going to church we are reenacting this unity as a community (common unity towards one thing that we all share in common: worshipping God and participating in the thanksgiving of the Holy Eucharist).

Second Reading: COL 1:12-20
Brothers and sisters:
Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Commentary: It is interesting that this reading resembles a Creed, much like our Apostles and Nicene Creed that we recite during Holy Rosary or in Sunday Mass. Jesus reconciles all things making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether in Heaven or on earth.This can be related to the fact that there is no time to God, something that is hard for us to comprehend. So if you say a prayer for someone a day or so before an event actually happens, when thinking it was for right now, God still hears that prayer whether it is early. In a similar way, when Jesus died for us, He didn't just die for the people who were living at the time when he died, He died for all those past (perhaps in Heaven), present (at the time He died), and future (us and those who will come after us). The part of this reading that descibes God as creator of all and that all were created through him and for him spoke to some. It was especially pointed out that thrones, dominions, principalities and powers were created for God. When looking at this in our present life, it is often hard to see that our own government and powers are for God.

Gospel: LUKE 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
"He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God."
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."
Above him there was an inscription that read,
"This is the King of the Jews."

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
"Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us."
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
"Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said,
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise."

Commentary: The line, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us," seems very ironic. (This irony can also be seen in the fact that this is the Gospel Reading for Christ the King). The save yourself and us part in particular. For that was EXACTLY what Jesus was doing. He was saving us! The Son of God was so humble! More humble that we could ever be. God was born of a virgin and took human flesh so that we could be with Him when we die. This is the God who loves us so much that he was mortified and suffered such a death. He outstretched his arms on the cross so that we would be saved. Now when I think of a King, nonetheless the King of the Universe, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords saving us, I suppose I would also see myself in the same mindset as the criminal. For many would think that if Jesus is the King of the Universe, why would he be dying in humility right alongside of criminals by being suffocated by being nailed to a cross? Why wouldn't the Son of God be glorified as a King should be, he is our Savior and our Redeemer, why was it this way? I think that God was trying to again set an example for us. In our society today, I find that we often (not always) try to fufill our needs and desires in self-gratification. We glory in the praise we get from making Dean's List, being an all-star sports player, or getting that promotion at work. While all of these things are worthy of praise and in no way should we injure our self-esteem to the point of becoming ill, but there is a different way of approaching this, a way in which this Gospel suggests, and the second reading also touches on. We should humble ourselves as God was humbled in the person of Jesus Christ. When we receive praise and glory for something we have done, we should offer it up for Jesus. For example: say you receive that job promotion and a pay raise. When you receive praise for this event, offer it up to God, because, it is through God that you have the talents and are using the gifts and talents. These talents and gifts are created by God and are for God (sounds like the Secong Reading, eh!) Let's humble ourselves as God did himself through Jesus Christ who died to save us on the cross. Give up the glory you receive for your talents, gifts, and endeavors to the Lord. What better way to glorify Christ the King? For he died in a way that was much less than glorified.

Good Samaritan Activity
Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov is one of my favorite books; “The Grand Inquisitor,” my favorite chapter. In it, Dostoyevsky masterfully crafts a parable that would hold any Christian’s attention. Christ returns to earth during the time of the Spanish Inquisition, and is condemned to exile because his judge disagrees with Jesus’ responses to the Devil during the testing in the desert. Besides being an incredible work of literature, this chapter is very difficult to digest for anyone who takes the Christian life seriously. Dostoyevsky left me, and I am sure many others, with a haunting question: How would I treat Christ if he were to come into my life?
Being ready for Christ’s return is a recurring theme in the Gospels. A number of parables deal with it — The Parable of the Ten Virgins, The Judgment of the Nations, The Parable of the Wedding Feast, On Being Vigilant. The early Christians clearly understood that our lives are marked by preparing ourselves to meet Christ. Their preoccupation with this reality was a lot more pronounced than ours because they thought his return was imminent. The consequences of not being prepared are very clear. For example, the five unprepared virgins are not only denied entrance to the wedding fest, but Jesus says to them, “I do not know you.”
But how can we prepare ourselves to meet someone whom we know only remotely? I received an answer not too long ago in a book entitled Contemplative Retreat by Franz Jalics. “So often, our relationship with God suffers from illusions because we think it depends only on intentions,” Jalics says. “The only way of knowing with certainty where we stand with regard to God, is to take all our human relationships together and look at them. What happens in these relationships also happens in our relationship with God.”

Franz Jalics: “The only way of knowing with certainty where we stand with regard to God, is to take all our human relationships together and look at them.” It is the same answer that Dostoyevsky came up with. Each generation, each person, would treat Christ in exactly the same way that we treat others… If I look down on others, I look down on God. If I get angry with others, I get angry with God. If I ignore others, I ignore God. If I keep others at a distance, I keep God at a distance too. And here’s the biggie — if I judge others, I sit in judgment of God. Ouch!

It is the same answer that Dostoyevsky came up with. Each generation, each person, would treat Christ in exactly the same way that we treat others. This is the stark truth contained in the Gospel passage, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did [did not do] for one of these least brothers of mine, you did [did not do] for me” (Matthew 25:40). Preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ is as concrete as improving our relationships with others.
This makes so much sense to me. After all, I am fundamentally the same person in relationship with God and in relationship with others. My gut reactions, whether positive or negative, are the same regardless of who triggers them. If I look down on others, I look down on God. If I get angry with others, I get angry with God. If I ignore others, I ignore God. If I keep others at a distance, I keep God at a distance too. And here’s the biggie — if I judge others, I sit in judgment of God. Ouch! There’s not much difference between myself and the Grand Inquisitor after all.
The bottom line is this: If we take our relationship with God seriously, we must take our relationships with others seriously. If we want to improve our relationship with God, we must improve our relationships with others. Another way of saying this is that our relationship with others is our relationship with God. Loving God and loving our neighbor is the same thing. But we cannot love others/God unless we love ourselves. This is another huge truth that has been recognized in the Jewish tradition for millennia and was canonized by Jesus as the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.
In Luke, it is in the context of the two great commandments that Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. By placing ourselves in the position of each character, we can make this parable our own and perhaps find some inspiration to grow in our relationship with ourselves, with others, and with God.
Here are some steps for reflecting more deeply:

Preparation

Find Luke 10:25-37 in your Bible or Bible app.
Think about how you want to approach this time of reflection and express your desire to enter into dialogue with Jesus.
Read the passage in its entirety two or three times.
Choose one of the characters below for the focus of your reflection.

Victim

How and by whom have I been wounded?
Am I afraid of exposing this wound so that I can be healed? Why am I afraid?
Whom do I allow near this wound? Whom do I not allow near? Why?

Robbers

In what ways do I intentionally harm myself or others? Why?
What do I think I gain from this?
What am I lacking that moves me toward harming myself or others?

Priest and Levite

When have I seen someone else in need and not helped out? Why?
When have I recognized that I need help and ignored my own need? Why?
What excuses do I use for not “getting involved” when others or I need help?
What labels do I use for others and myself that justify my neglect?
What are the fears that I face when I am confronted with my wounds or those of others?

Samaritan and Innkeeper

How do the Samaritan and the Innkeeper reveal that they love themselves?
How and when have I recognized my own wounds and those of others?
What personal resources have I been able to offer to those in need?

Commentary: It is important to be open to breaking boundaries especially in sacrificing to others. In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus makes it clear that there are no boundaries in neighborliness. There is a two-way communication between the Samaritan and the victim. This story is not all about what the Samaritan can do for the victim. By reaching out to the victim the Samaritan gives something up, loses something, but gains something more important. He is poorer in monetary terms, inconvenienced in human terms, but gains enrichment in his own humanity by the act of his generosity. Jesus is the ultimate Good Samaritan and likewise gave up his life and endured suffering in order to save us and give us eternal life. And the victim who is aided by the material provisions of the Good Samaritan, is aided more by the fact that the Samaritan did not recognize him as a victim, but as a human being in need of dignity. The care of the Samaritan extends to the victim shows equal human dignity of both and raises the victim back to the level that his victimization had destroyed. Jesus also extends to us as victims of our sin and dignifies us and raises us back to the level before our victimization by sin through his mercy and forgiveness. Compassion is the emotion we feel in response to the suffering of others that motivates a desire to help. The Latin etymology of the word actually means co-suffering. The following video can be used as a profound reminder that we all have our story and we never know what crosses others are carrying. Let's be Good Samaritians by breaking our own personal boundaries: giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, with courtesy, compassion and respect. Let us take a part in the suffering of others to show them the love that God gives to us. The benefit is two-fold!

Link to Cleveland Clinic Compassion Video: IF WE COULD SEE INTO OTHER'S HEARTS WOULD WE TREAT THEM DIFFERENTLY

Feel free to comment with your own interpretations of the readings/article.

Blessings always!

Monroe Young Adult Ministry

Pages

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Mass Readings for the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2013

We have posted the Readings for this Sunday (December 1, 2013). Feel free to comment on anything that speaks to you or that grabs your attention. Blessings always

First Sunday of Advent

Reading 1

IS 2:1-5

Responsorial PsalmPS 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Reading 2ROM 13:11-14

GospelMT 24:37-44

Upcoming Meeting

Monday, November 25, 2013

New Page

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Recap of November 20, 2013

Preparation

Victim

Robbers

Priest and Levite

Samaritan and Innkeeper