-no more homilies to listen to. Email me at frete@saint-albert.org if you want one mailed
-readings for this Sunday are at USCCB.org
-I am presiding at 4:00pm and 12:30pm Mass
Hang in there!
The gesture of para-bole (parable) is what I hear in the Word this week and I see in the church. The church is sacrament of the kingdom and it's gesture is para-bole "alongside of". What I mean is that if we are the sign of the kingdom we show that nature by our relating...being next to each other/para-bole.
This "being cast together" is not only the key to our being the sacrament and sign of the kingdom, it is the hardest thing in the world. Like the weeds and the wheat our goodness and evil has to dwell together while we await the kingdom just as we are expressing the kingdom.
Aren't you discouraged at the level of dysfunction in the church? Can't we get rid of the problem people? No, cause they are part of our story, para-bole. In fact, we are alternately their weeds...ouch.
Wadayathink?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Set the Word of God Free!
-There are no audio homilies anymore. If you would like me to email you a .wma version of the homily from June 27th, simply email me at
-Readings for this coming Sunday are at usccb.org ->
-I am preaching at 5:30pm, 8:00 and 9:30am Masses
Be effective!
I am thinking that the prophecy from Isaiah 55 tells us something about our call to be not only honest, true, loving - but effective. God's Word has "mission" and "Purpose". The Word is put forth or brought out in order to accomplish something.
The experts tell us that this Isaiah passage concludes what is called "Second Isaiah" and it carries the theme of the Exodus. The Exodus event is a "coming out" of bondage event. In the Exodus event Israel was set free from bondage (like shackles), discovered their identity, and understood their mission.
The Word can be held captive within us, within the Church, within the world if its purpose is not accomplished. The purpose of the Word is to be effective - God said...it was. God's Word effects reality.
What is God's Word for you, the church, and the world today? Is it in bondage or is it brought out into effective freedom? What is keeping the Word of God bound?
I think our lack of faith is the answer. Just a guess... What do you think?
-Readings for this coming Sunday are at usccb.org ->
-I am preaching at 5:30pm, 8:00 and 9:30am Masses
Be effective!
I am thinking that the prophecy from Isaiah 55 tells us something about our call to be not only honest, true, loving - but effective. God's Word has "mission" and "Purpose". The Word is put forth or brought out in order to accomplish something.
The experts tell us that this Isaiah passage concludes what is called "Second Isaiah" and it carries the theme of the Exodus. The Exodus event is a "coming out" of bondage event. In the Exodus event Israel was set free from bondage (like shackles), discovered their identity, and understood their mission.
The Word can be held captive within us, within the Church, within the world if its purpose is not accomplished. The purpose of the Word is to be effective - God said...it was. God's Word effects reality.
What is God's Word for you, the church, and the world today? Is it in bondage or is it brought out into effective freedom? What is keeping the Word of God bound?
I think our lack of faith is the answer. Just a guess... What do you think?
Friday, July 1, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Matador is taking a "siesta" far away in the sunshine. Hasta la semana que viene!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Body and Blood of Christ
-Last week's homily is not available yet
-Scriptures for this week are at the usual spot ->
-I am presiding at 4:00pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday
Fed or Feeding
Is your sharing in the Eucharist more of your being fed OR is your participation in the Eucharist an act of feeding? I think there's a big difference. Do you?
-Scriptures for this week are at the usual spot ->
-I am presiding at 4:00pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday
Fed or Feeding
Is your sharing in the Eucharist more of your being fed OR is your participation in the Eucharist an act of feeding? I think there's a big difference. Do you?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Trinity Sunday - June 19, 2011
-the homily from last weekend was not recorded. I am looking for a host site for my recorded homilies. In the meantime, the recordings can be heard (after a long download) by double clicking on the title of the talk (not the library as before).
-the scriptures for Trinity Sunday are at USCCB.org->
-I am presiding at the 11:00am Mass on Sunday
Template!
Paul's second letter to the Corinthians very clearly describes what the church relationships "ought" to be: "Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another,agree with one another, live in peace,". Tall order, yes?
However, St. Paul is not inventing this arrangement, imagining this set up, creating some new utopia out of nothing. No, he is encouraging the Church to be that which it was created to be: imago Dei (image of God)
On Trinity Sunday we usually talk about the inner life of God: a communion of life, love, and truth. But today maybe we should be seeing that inner life as a template for our inner life as the church. We were created in the image and likeness of God. We are to be as God is...we ought to see, in the patterns of our relating, the template of God's inner life (love, life, and truth).
Do you expect Christians to love one another, rejoice in each other, mending our ways, dwelling in peace because we are morally superior to others? I think we ought to witness such communion because it is who we are - Imago Dei
-the scriptures for Trinity Sunday are at USCCB.org->
-I am presiding at the 11:00am Mass on Sunday
Template!
Paul's second letter to the Corinthians very clearly describes what the church relationships "ought" to be: "Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another,agree with one another, live in peace,". Tall order, yes?
However, St. Paul is not inventing this arrangement, imagining this set up, creating some new utopia out of nothing. No, he is encouraging the Church to be that which it was created to be: imago Dei (image of God)
On Trinity Sunday we usually talk about the inner life of God: a communion of life, love, and truth. But today maybe we should be seeing that inner life as a template for our inner life as the church. We were created in the image and likeness of God. We are to be as God is...we ought to see, in the patterns of our relating, the template of God's inner life (love, life, and truth).
Do you expect Christians to love one another, rejoice in each other, mending our ways, dwelling in peace because we are morally superior to others? I think we ought to witness such communion because it is who we are - Imago Dei
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Ascension Homily - June 5, 2011
This "farewell" homily for Fr. Bona and Fr. Stock is now available for audio listening. Double click on the title "Ascension Homily"
Third Thursday Theology Lecture -June 16
This recording is about 1 hour long and its topic is Chaps 7, 8, and 9 of the US Cathechism for Adults. Double clcik on the title "Third Thursday Theology"
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Come, Holy Spirit!
-Still no solution to homily tapes. My host site (archive.org) is not functioning so I need a new solution to posting audio files
-the scriptures for Pentecost are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at the 8am and the 12:30pm on Sunday
The Spirit is only Communication
I was always fond of saying that "pneumatology (understanding of the Spirit) was ecclesiology (understanding of the Church).". That is something to ponder if one hasn't before. However, I am growing in my understanding of the Church and, thus, I must reconsider my opinion about the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, which we celebrate today, is more than ecclesiology. It is clearly the life-force, or as St. Augustine says, "the soul of the Body of Christ" - the Church. But that's the point...the body of Christ is more than the Church. The Church and the Body of Christ are the effect of the Spirit, they are One Communion.
We only know of the Holy Spirit because of divine Communion. The Spirit is the communion of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the relationship between the Father and the Son. Holy Spirit is the Divine Communication. In creation, in redemption, in salvation, in incarnation, in church building, in preaching, in sacraments, Holy Spirit is what's happening - divine sharing of Self, Communication.
If we could think about communication as something beyond the modern concept of "idea sending" and see it as "self-sacrificing communion" I think we'd be closer to God and God's Kingdom.
Any examples out there of a great communication in life? Holy Spirit!
-the scriptures for Pentecost are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at the 8am and the 12:30pm on Sunday
The Spirit is only Communication
I was always fond of saying that "pneumatology (understanding of the Spirit) was ecclesiology (understanding of the Church).". That is something to ponder if one hasn't before. However, I am growing in my understanding of the Church and, thus, I must reconsider my opinion about the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, which we celebrate today, is more than ecclesiology. It is clearly the life-force, or as St. Augustine says, "the soul of the Body of Christ" - the Church. But that's the point...the body of Christ is more than the Church. The Church and the Body of Christ are the effect of the Spirit, they are One Communion.
We only know of the Holy Spirit because of divine Communion. The Spirit is the communion of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the relationship between the Father and the Son. Holy Spirit is the Divine Communication. In creation, in redemption, in salvation, in incarnation, in church building, in preaching, in sacraments, Holy Spirit is what's happening - divine sharing of Self, Communication.
If we could think about communication as something beyond the modern concept of "idea sending" and see it as "self-sacrificing communion" I think we'd be closer to God and God's Kingdom.
Any examples out there of a great communication in life? Holy Spirit!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Dorothy of Oz
-Techno problems has 5/29 homily lost in space
-Scriptures for Ascension are at usccb.org
-I am preaching at 4:00pm and 12:30pm
Coming and Going!
In the classic movie the Wizard of Oz, one finds many repeatable statements that might be considered "classics" themselves. This is so true, in my opinion, that I have dubbed the protagonist as "Dorothy the Great of Kansas".
The line of Dorothy's that strikes at the heart of this week's Ascension Mystery is " My, people certainly come and go quickly around here!". Yes, indeed, "coming and going" is a phrase that describes a kind of dynamic interchange. You might see this most vividly If you ever "people watch" at an airport. What you see is the unending chain of farewell and hello, in fact that is the whole point of an airport...coming and going.
The Acts of the Apostles today locates the life of the nascent church in the context of this coming and going. It says that "This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” Going and coming - an intersection in reality - a rendezvous in communion.
Coming and going might be understood theologically as the Paschal Mystery, which we describe as dying and rising. It seems that this mode of interchange is fundamental to the life of God, the communion of the church, and the discipleship we embrace. Check this out.
God comes to us in creation and goes away from us in banishment from the garden. God comes to us in the Exodus and goes away in the wandering of the desert. God comes to us in the Law at Sinai and goes away in idol worship. God comes to us in the promised land and goes away in the exile. God Gomes to us in the Annunciation and goes away in the Passion. God comes to us in the Resurrection and goes away in the Ascension, God comes to us in Pentecost and goes away into the persecuted life of the Church. God comes to us in the Sacraments/Eucharist and goes away through the death to self.
Call me crazy but I see a pattern here. The arrival, the "hello" of God and grace in our lives is purely prelude and preparation for a departure, a loss, an exit, a farewell. Likewise, the perceived farewells in life with God are likewise prelude and preparation for hello, arrival, an entrance, a new and deeper communion in the life of heaven.
At 12:30 Mass we will celebrate this dynamic. The farewell of our two priests. The priesthood is one of these dynamic interchanges by which God comes to us so richly, in the unique presence of "another Christ". All the while (but especially in their departure from us) the priesthood is also an "usher" or an attendant for the household of heaven, leading us in the "farewell" that is this life and entering us into the life with Christ.
How has God come into your life? Beware...it is the first step in the divine dance which is looking for an exit. How has God gone away in your life? Don't despair, you are invited to take the step, enter, welcome!
-Scriptures for Ascension are at usccb.org
-I am preaching at 4:00pm and 12:30pm
Coming and Going!
In the classic movie the Wizard of Oz, one finds many repeatable statements that might be considered "classics" themselves. This is so true, in my opinion, that I have dubbed the protagonist as "Dorothy the Great of Kansas".
The line of Dorothy's that strikes at the heart of this week's Ascension Mystery is " My, people certainly come and go quickly around here!". Yes, indeed, "coming and going" is a phrase that describes a kind of dynamic interchange. You might see this most vividly If you ever "people watch" at an airport. What you see is the unending chain of farewell and hello, in fact that is the whole point of an airport...coming and going.
The Acts of the Apostles today locates the life of the nascent church in the context of this coming and going. It says that "This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” Going and coming - an intersection in reality - a rendezvous in communion.
Coming and going might be understood theologically as the Paschal Mystery, which we describe as dying and rising. It seems that this mode of interchange is fundamental to the life of God, the communion of the church, and the discipleship we embrace. Check this out.
God comes to us in creation and goes away from us in banishment from the garden. God comes to us in the Exodus and goes away in the wandering of the desert. God comes to us in the Law at Sinai and goes away in idol worship. God comes to us in the promised land and goes away in the exile. God Gomes to us in the Annunciation and goes away in the Passion. God comes to us in the Resurrection and goes away in the Ascension, God comes to us in Pentecost and goes away into the persecuted life of the Church. God comes to us in the Sacraments/Eucharist and goes away through the death to self.
Call me crazy but I see a pattern here. The arrival, the "hello" of God and grace in our lives is purely prelude and preparation for a departure, a loss, an exit, a farewell. Likewise, the perceived farewells in life with God are likewise prelude and preparation for hello, arrival, an entrance, a new and deeper communion in the life of heaven.
At 12:30 Mass we will celebrate this dynamic. The farewell of our two priests. The priesthood is one of these dynamic interchanges by which God comes to us so richly, in the unique presence of "another Christ". All the while (but especially in their departure from us) the priesthood is also an "usher" or an attendant for the household of heaven, leading us in the "farewell" that is this life and entering us into the life with Christ.
How has God come into your life? Beware...it is the first step in the divine dance which is looking for an exit. How has God gone away in your life? Don't despair, you are invited to take the step, enter, welcome!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
May 29 Homily
Trouble in cyberspace
I cannot get my homilies uploaded to the archive.org. we'll work on it.
I cannot get my homilies uploaded to the archive.org. we'll work on it.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
May 29 -Easter VI
-The homily from last Sunday is in the library->
-The scriptures for this week are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at 9:30am only
Power for What!
The Spirit, called the Paraclete, is in name and in fact a power for the sake of something. The Holy Spirit, from the beginning and always, is given or present for the sake that something else might take place. From creation, at the annunciation, at Pentecost....given so that something else would happen.
What are you suppose to be doing under the power of the Spirit that's been given to you?
-The scriptures for this week are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at 9:30am only
Power for What!
The Spirit, called the Paraclete, is in name and in fact a power for the sake of something. The Holy Spirit, from the beginning and always, is given or present for the sake that something else might take place. From creation, at the annunciation, at Pentecost....given so that something else would happen.
What are you suppose to be doing under the power of the Spirit that's been given to you?
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
May 22, 2011 - Easter 5
-still working on last week's homily upload
-scriptures for this week are at USCCB.org
-I am preaching at the 8am Mass
Key word - "structure"
I am thinking that this week's homily is page two of last week's. Last week I said that Jesus is the encounter space, the opening into which we are called to dwell. Jesus is the place where we will intersect with the life of heaven, communion. To be alive in God is to live in Christ.
We as Catholics do nothing as individuals and so this week's encouragement is to dwell in Christ with others to form the full stature who is Jesus Christ. Our faith, our salvation is experienced fully in our communion with God, THROUGH Christ, in the Church.
To be a stone "in the structure" and to be "living" stone through our life in Christ. We are just a part. None of us is whole apart from Christ in the Church.
This theme is old and over used for me, but it is continuously "given" to me to reflect upon. How do I experience the Kingdom of God? Only through the opening which is Jesus Christ and the communion that is His body, the Church. Anything less is "dead".
-scriptures for this week are at USCCB.org
-I am preaching at the 8am Mass
Key word - "structure"
I am thinking that this week's homily is page two of last week's. Last week I said that Jesus is the encounter space, the opening into which we are called to dwell. Jesus is the place where we will intersect with the life of heaven, communion. To be alive in God is to live in Christ.
We as Catholics do nothing as individuals and so this week's encouragement is to dwell in Christ with others to form the full stature who is Jesus Christ. Our faith, our salvation is experienced fully in our communion with God, THROUGH Christ, in the Church.
To be a stone "in the structure" and to be "living" stone through our life in Christ. We are just a part. None of us is whole apart from Christ in the Church.
This theme is old and over used for me, but it is continuously "given" to me to reflect upon. How do I experience the Kingdom of God? Only through the opening which is Jesus Christ and the communion that is His body, the Church. Anything less is "dead".
Friday, May 13, 2011
May 15th - Good Shepherd Sunday
-last week's homily is not easily found by some. Here is the link http://www.archive.org/details/May82011-Easter3
-the Scriptures for Sunday are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at 4:00, 8:00, and 9:30 Masses
The Gate
On a Sunday which is typically celebrated as "priesthood Sunday" or World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the image of Jesus as the gate captured my attention. The most revolutionary thought I might have is that Jesus is NOT gate or door as we imagine these barriers. Even the Pearly Gate is imagined as a barrier.
Jesus is gate or door in the sense of "way" - thus "gateway" or "doorway". This is in contrast to the Pharisees who, in just the previous scene, have "barred" the man born blind from the synagogue. Rather than gateway or shepherd, the Pharisee is barrier and bouncer.
So, as was the sheep guarding practice of ancient palestine, Jesus lies in the gateway, making himself the principal path, the way, the conduit, the viaduct between sheepfold and green pastures of life (read: ourselves and the life-giving springs of communion).
Jesus Christ as sheep gate, priest, and lamb of sacrifice has placed himself between (mediatrix) God and humanity, reconciling us to the Father IN Himself. Priesthood is mediation! His priesthood lasts forever and he shares that priestly mission with the baptized, but in a special way with our consecrated priests. It is a noble goal and a humbling privilege to lay down one's life in the church as the gateway of grace, salvation, and reconciliation so that others (Jesus and souls) might traverse upon us - ecclesial doormats. The priesthood is encounter place, the way, the rendezvous for Jesus and souls. Thank God for priests.
It is of course a sad and serious temptation to assume that priestly position as pathway and usher of grace and then turn it into a barrier or become a bouncer in an material human reality called church! Ouch, Pharisee. Have mercy on us.
So, passing through the gate of grace and reconciliation is not a one-time event...it is a perpetual care plan. Priesthood( of Jesus and in the ordained office) is the role and function of mediation. For our souls must constantly and continuously enter into unity with Jesus as a way of walking through the gate. Be united with Christ and in Him pass through to communion in eternal life! There is no other way!
-the Scriptures for Sunday are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at 4:00, 8:00, and 9:30 Masses
The Gate
On a Sunday which is typically celebrated as "priesthood Sunday" or World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the image of Jesus as the gate captured my attention. The most revolutionary thought I might have is that Jesus is NOT gate or door as we imagine these barriers. Even the Pearly Gate is imagined as a barrier.
Jesus is gate or door in the sense of "way" - thus "gateway" or "doorway". This is in contrast to the Pharisees who, in just the previous scene, have "barred" the man born blind from the synagogue. Rather than gateway or shepherd, the Pharisee is barrier and bouncer.
So, as was the sheep guarding practice of ancient palestine, Jesus lies in the gateway, making himself the principal path, the way, the conduit, the viaduct between sheepfold and green pastures of life (read: ourselves and the life-giving springs of communion).
Jesus Christ as sheep gate, priest, and lamb of sacrifice has placed himself between (mediatrix) God and humanity, reconciling us to the Father IN Himself. Priesthood is mediation! His priesthood lasts forever and he shares that priestly mission with the baptized, but in a special way with our consecrated priests. It is a noble goal and a humbling privilege to lay down one's life in the church as the gateway of grace, salvation, and reconciliation so that others (Jesus and souls) might traverse upon us - ecclesial doormats. The priesthood is encounter place, the way, the rendezvous for Jesus and souls. Thank God for priests.
It is of course a sad and serious temptation to assume that priestly position as pathway and usher of grace and then turn it into a barrier or become a bouncer in an material human reality called church! Ouch, Pharisee. Have mercy on us.
So, passing through the gate of grace and reconciliation is not a one-time event...it is a perpetual care plan. Priesthood( of Jesus and in the ordained office) is the role and function of mediation. For our souls must constantly and continuously enter into unity with Jesus as a way of walking through the gate. Be united with Christ and in Him pass through to communion in eternal life! There is no other way!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
May 8, 2011 - Third Sunday of Easter
-Homily from May 1 is in the library->
-Sunday scriptures are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at 5:30 on Saturday and 11:00 and 12:30 Mass on Sunday
Stay with us....
The concept of "remaining" is a fundamental reality at the root of our Catholicism. It speaks to the sacramental relationship that Christ has established in and through his Church. It is not intellectual, but relational.
Most of us Catholics are preoccupied with the "whatness" of the Blessed Sacrament rather than the relationship to the Person of Jesus. Do we think of God's Word and Sacrament as an offer of intimacy or rather some divine fact or data that is to be simply understood and affirmed with the mind?
Pope JPII and Benedict XVI favor one over the other and they cry out with the church...stay with us!
-Sunday scriptures are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at 5:30 on Saturday and 11:00 and 12:30 Mass on Sunday
Stay with us....
The concept of "remaining" is a fundamental reality at the root of our Catholicism. It speaks to the sacramental relationship that Christ has established in and through his Church. It is not intellectual, but relational.
Most of us Catholics are preoccupied with the "whatness" of the Blessed Sacrament rather than the relationship to the Person of Jesus. Do we think of God's Word and Sacrament as an offer of intimacy or rather some divine fact or data that is to be simply understood and affirmed with the mind?
Pope JPII and Benedict XVI favor one over the other and they cry out with the church...stay with us!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
May 1, 2011 - Mercy Sunday
-The Easter homily is in the library ->
-The Scriptures for May 1st are at USCCB.org
-I will be preaching at 4:00 Mass on Saturday and 12:30 on Sunday
Who's Doing What?
"....the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." The newborn Church of Acts of the Apostles seems to be the Body of Jesus Christ, doing what Jesus does, saving others. The church is not a highly efficient or necessarily effective organization with a mission. The Church is the incarnate Body of Christ reaching out, often clumsily, for souls. Jesus said, "when I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself."
Church, let's wake up to the role we are to play, in the person of Jesus, to reconcile all people into Communion with God who loves us. It is Jesus acting. We are the access point, the instrument, by which God is reconciling the world through Jesus Christ...adding to their number. We call it Mercy.
Can we let Him do what He does? That's the challenge.
-The Scriptures for May 1st are at USCCB.org
-I will be preaching at 4:00 Mass on Saturday and 12:30 on Sunday
Who's Doing What?
"....the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." The newborn Church of Acts of the Apostles seems to be the Body of Jesus Christ, doing what Jesus does, saving others. The church is not a highly efficient or necessarily effective organization with a mission. The Church is the incarnate Body of Christ reaching out, often clumsily, for souls. Jesus said, "when I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself."
Church, let's wake up to the role we are to play, in the person of Jesus, to reconcile all people into Communion with God who loves us. It is Jesus acting. We are the access point, the instrument, by which God is reconciling the world through Jesus Christ...adding to their number. We call it Mercy.
Can we let Him do what He does? That's the challenge.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter Sunday Preaching
The homily from Easter Sunday, April 24th, is in the library. Blessed Easter to all!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Easter Sunday -April 24
-Homily for Palm Sunday is in the library
-Easter readings are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at the 11am Mass in church.
What time is it?
Time Keepers
Every major sporting event has a time keeper. What inning, quarter, period is it? How much time is on the clock? The question of time is pertinent this Easter!
Our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus can be understood and experienced in one of two ways....as hard time or God's time. Too many of us have heard the Good News of Easter Joy "he is risen" and we have believed that resurrected life is simply something for Jesus, somthing that happens only in heaven, something out there, something future, - promised land at last. In the meantime, however, we have to do the "hard time" of life without heaven, imprisoned, locked up, without eternity, without light, joy, peace, and love. That would not be faith in the Risen Lord at all. That's hard time even for religious people who claim to believe and live free.
The other choice, the recommended choice today, the choice that we can make as people of Faith is to know and believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to live it by faith now and unto eternity. Jesus has not simply risen unto heaven but by his death and resurrection "heaven has been born in our hearts." By faith and baptism we can step into God's time, God's eternity, God's mercy and peace, God's love and life - here, now!
What time are you keeping?
-Easter readings are at USCCB.org->
-I am preaching at the 11am Mass in church.
What time is it?
Time Keepers
Every major sporting event has a time keeper. What inning, quarter, period is it? How much time is on the clock? The question of time is pertinent this Easter!
Our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus can be understood and experienced in one of two ways....as hard time or God's time. Too many of us have heard the Good News of Easter Joy "he is risen" and we have believed that resurrected life is simply something for Jesus, somthing that happens only in heaven, something out there, something future, - promised land at last. In the meantime, however, we have to do the "hard time" of life without heaven, imprisoned, locked up, without eternity, without light, joy, peace, and love. That would not be faith in the Risen Lord at all. That's hard time even for religious people who claim to believe and live free.
The other choice, the recommended choice today, the choice that we can make as people of Faith is to know and believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to live it by faith now and unto eternity. Jesus has not simply risen unto heaven but by his death and resurrection "heaven has been born in our hearts." By faith and baptism we can step into God's time, God's eternity, God's mercy and peace, God's love and life - here, now!
What time are you keeping?
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