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May 13, 2004 Edition

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Living the Scriptures
Faith Alive!
This week's readings
Pope's Prayer Intentions

Christian life: 'Because Mom says so'

photo of George Edward Schmitz
Living the Scriptures 

with St. Paul University 
Catholic Center 

George Edward Schmitz 

"I am going away and I will come back to you" (John 14:28).

My brother frequently travels for business trips. His four-year old daughter always finds it hard to be away from her daddy. She cries each time he calls while he's away.

She doesn't yet understand that his job is for the good of the family, but it has to take him away sometimes. All she knows is that daddy should be with his family whenever possible.

Sixth Sunday
of Easter
(May 16, 2004)
Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Rv 21:10-14, 22-23
Jn 14:23-29

My niece has a point. A father is important when he is home. As I was growing up, chores around the house got done much faster and easier when my dad could help.

Of course, in his absence, everyone picked up more of the load. That meant doing all the yard work and fixing the '79 Chevy LUV without him.

Still, only dad was able to do the major tasks like repairing the leaky roof or battling the septic tank. Some things had to wait "until dad got home." We couldn't do the big jobs without him.

I've sometimes wondered what work pulled Jesus away from his earthly family. Wouldn't our jobs as Christians be a lot easier if he were here in person?

When Jesus left, did he expect we would naturally pick up a bigger share of the load until he came back? We know how to do the "smaller" jobs, i.e. visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and so on.

But how many challenges do we face daily that we feel are beyond our abilities?  How do we protect the unborn and the innocent, feed the starving nations, promote peace, etc.? Which jobs do we leave for Jesus?

During the few trips my father made, my siblings and I implicitly understood that while he was gone, mom alone "was in charge." Somehow, it seemed a little easier to get away with bad behavior with mom than dad. If I ever caused trouble, I worried more that my dad would find out.

Looking back I realize how little sense that makes. My mom would inevitably share with my dad any mischief of which I was guilty. Still it didn't change that I felt more freedom when I was answering primarily to mom. When dad was home, I HAD to do what he asked, but I seemed to have a choice when mom asked.

Some people view the church the same way. All Christians agree that we must do what Jesus asks, but not all agree that we have to do what the church (our mother) asks.

Reflection questions

• How do you help out a little more until Jesus returns?

• Do we view the church as a reliable authority for our guidance?

Some think we are obliged only to follow Jesus' words in the Bible but that you may choose freely among the church's teachings. After all, we will answer directly to Jesus when he returns, not the church.

However, his first question might be, "Why didn't you do everything your mother asked?"


George Edward Schmitz is a fifth year graduate student in the Microbiology Doctoral Program at UW-Madison. He is co-leader of the graduate/young professional and Mustard Seed groups at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org


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Faith Alive!

Faith Alive! logo

In a Nutshell

  • A tension exists as Christians live for a world beyond the here-and-now while expressing concern about this world's social-justice issues.

  • If we live by a vivid hope for eternal life, will we be able to maintain a prayerful and passionate interest in building up this world?

  • Dealing with this world's ills can be overwhelming. Groups and individuals have to be grounded in prayer.


    Catholic News Service
    3211 Fourth St NE
    Washington DC 20017
    202.541.3250
    cns@catholicnews.com
  •  Food for Thought
     
    Certain truths of Christian life might at first seem to compete against each other for attention. We struggle to balance them, finding it challenging to respond to the demands of each at the same time.

    In such cases, there is a certain "tension"; two aspects of reality appear to tug at each other.

    Pope John Paul II several times has spoken of one such tension in the Christian life, what he calls the "eschatological tension." In simplest terms, this has to do with keeping our gaze fixed on heaven (the end times, the "eschaton") while also keeping our gaze fixed on the needs of the world around us.

    The eschatological tension is experienced at Mass; the pope spoke of this in his 2003 encyclical on the Eucharist, saying:

    full story

     
    Foretaste of the Hereafter, Action Here and Now
    By Father Lawrence E. Mick

    Catholic News Service

    Several years ago I helped lead a retreat and was responsible for the main liturgy, which fell on the Feast of All Saints. Our worship space was a simple, largely unadorned chapel.

    As I prepared for the Mass, I discovered in the sacristy a collection of icons of different saints, so I arranged them around the sides and back of the chapel, surrounding the places for the assembly. This reminded us that we are linked to all the saints in heaven when we celebrate the Eucharist.

    full story 


    Fully Alive in Two Worlds
    By Father Frederic Maples, SJ

    Catholic News Service

    Karl Marx famously wrote that "religion is the opium of the people." He meant that hope in a life after the grave numbs people to their true condition on this earth and suppresses any motivation to change things.

    Atheistic communism now lies in shambles. But consumerism may be succeeding where communism failed.

    full story 


    Connecting Prayer With Action
    By Father Herbert Weber

    Catholic News Service

    About 40 of us gathered under umbrellas as a heavy rain threatened to wash out the candlelight vigil. As is customary before a state-planned execution, our group assembled for prayer in front of the prison that houses Ohio's Death Row. We represent several denominations, and this time our gathering included our newly appointed bishop.

    As I stood in the rain, with trucks and cars splashing by on the highway, I found an amazing peacefulness and hope. That strange response did not come from naive thinking that the inmate's life would be spared; it wasn't. Nor did it come from romanticizing our role.

    full story


    Faith Alive! logo
     Faith in the Marketplace
     
    This Week's Discussion Point:

    Do you ever pray about concrete, specific needs of this world? What is your prayer?

     
      Selected Response From Readers:  
     
    Copyright © 2004 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops



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    This week's readings

    Week of May 16 - 22, 2004

    Sunday, May 16, 2004
    Reading I: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
    Reading II: Rv 21:10-14, 22-23
    Gospel: Jn 14:23-29

    Monday, May 17, 2004
    Reading I: Acts 16:11-15
    Gospel: Jn 15:26--16:4a

    Tuesday, May 18, 2004
    Reading I: Acts 16:22-34
    Gospel: Jn 16:5-11

    Wednesday, May 19, 2004
    Reading I: Acts 17:15, 22--18:1
    Gospel: Jn 16:12-15

    Thursday, May 20, 2004
    Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
    Reading I: Acts 1:1-11
    Reading II: Eph 1:17-233
    Gospel: Lk 24:46-53

    Friday, May 21, 2004
    Reading I: Acts 18:9-18
    Gospel: Jn 16:20-23

    Saturday, May 22, 2004
    Reading I: Acts 18:23-28
    Gospel: Jn 16:23b-28


    Pope's Prayer Intentions

    May General Intention

    Mary, Mother of life: That children in difficulty and those who devote themselves to their care may find in Mary, Mother of life, constant support and help.

    May Mission Intention

    The evangelization of Asia. That in the local Churches of Asia the Holy Spirit may kindle renewed ardour for evangelizing the entire Continent.



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