What Makes a Christian a Christian?

Well over a month ago now I had the opportunity to sit at a brewery, drink a beer and listen as a gathering of people from a church I am not a member of answer the question 'What Makes a Christian a Christian?'

As I sat and listened to the answers to this question that the people around me offered I had to reflect on the answer I had prepared to give. While one individual talked about the idea of being partially Christian on one's own and only fully Christian when a member of a Christian community I was left to wonder if one could be partially Christian?

While my mind wandered down this rabbit hole I began to truly reflect on the overly simplified answer I came with that a Christian is someone who identifies Christ as their lord and savior and attempts to live their life accordingly. While I'm sure in many classrooms that answer may be the perfect fit. Had I been able to articulate this in grade school I'm certain I would have impressed and annoyed many of the people around me.

Yet as I sat there drinking a beer and listening to these authentic insights from peoples experiences my mind naturally turned to the theological concept of Anonymous Christian (for the Rahner nerds out there I hope you see how I connected these dots).

Here I was left to wonder, is being a Christian more than a seemingly simple creedal statement of belief? Now with this having been over a month ago, I cannot pinpoint what comment or what passing thing out the window hit me but suddenly all I could think of was a song sometimes sung at mass.

The answer came to me in a song I'd sung hundreds of times, a song that more often than not drove me nuts, a simple song, "We Are One in the Spirit". In particular, in this song there is a line repeated over and over again, "They will know we are Christians by our love". That's it. That is the answer. As simple as it sounds. What makes a Christian a Christian is the love that they share with the world.

As simple as that sounds it may well be the most difficult answer to the question. Saying a few words and being considered a Christian would be easy. However, the reality is that this label isn't meant to be an easy mantle to carry to truly love is a far more difficult task than simply reciting a few words from a creed on Sunday.

The question I leave you with, the rabbit hole I continue to wonder down is, when did loving become so hard? 

Peace and Blessings Always
~M

This is my beloved _________, with whom I am well pleased; listen to them.

Two of today's readings (8/6/17) included the following, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Mt 17: 1-9 and 2 Pt 1: 16-19).

There is only one thought I want to share today, ignoring all the other theologically brilliant aspects of the readings (AKA all the things I would love to talk about for an undetermined length of time).

How often do we find ourselves realizing that we can be that son, that daughter, that child with whom God is well pleased?

This is my son, my daughter, my friend, my parent, my spouse, this is a person I know, and I love them.

Why can't it be that simple?


Peace and Blessings Always

  ~M

Sieger Köder's depiction of the transfiguration. Perhaps our lives can be transfigured...

"I am here."

          Anyone who knows me well knows that there are often times that I have a complete and utter inability to see how the dots are connected. Similarly, there are often times that I find ways to connect the dots in the most round about and illogical way possible. It should then come to those who know me that I often find myself reading a book or article and suddenly having a thought that brings back a flood of memories or connects in a most profound way to a book or article I have read or a thought that I have had before, even if the book or article was read or the thought was thought years ago. For this reason among many others, I love nothing more than surrounding myself with my books. Always keeping them close at hand to return to when such a rush of thought happens.

           For this reason, the past month or so has been particularly distressing. As I packed and prepared to move I had a number of my books not only a city away but in another state from where I was living. This left me with a number of what I am sure would have been brilliant thoughts unpursued. This was of course with one exception.

            One thought was far to impactful to be left unpursued. As I read an article for my last graduate level class on the theology of prayer I was reminded of a book looking at the seven last words of Jesus.

            In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew we see the last words of Jesus the Christ recorded as “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (MK 15:34, MT 27:46).  There are typically two ways of addressing this particular passage. I would like to suggest both of them as likely true, but add a bit of my own thought and reflection.

           One typical response to seeing is this to very simply point out that these words are the opening lines of Psalm 22. The next sentence often then looks at this and says it was not an honest or earnest outcry from Jesus, but instead he was merely praying and calling upon the wisdom of Psalm 22. The other typical response is to say that Jesus in his humanity, being fully human he did indeed, in that moment, upon the cross, feel a very real sense of abandonment.

          I see no reason why these need to be conflicting responses. Instead, I see them as deeply linked. Integrally related yet missing one last important aspect. In this moment of physical torture who could blame Jesus for feeling a sense of abandonment and in feeling this abandonment calling upon the words of Scripture for a prayer? What is missing from the Gospel accounts, something that we simply cannot know with historical certainty is what God’s response to Jesus’ prayer was.

          In truth we don’t even know if these were, in fact, Jesus last words, both Matthew and Mark recount slightly differently, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” (MT 27:50) and “And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last.” (MK 15:37). What we don’t know if what kind of response Jesus received from God.

          I like to think, the thought I had the other day that inspired all of this, that the last thing Jesus experienced before crying out and offering up his spirit was the familiar voice of God saying nothing more than “I am here.” In hearing this profoundly comforting response Jesus embraced whatever might follow and gave his spirit over to God.

All it took was a simple “I am here.”

Would this be enough for you or me? 

Peace and Blessings Always
~M

Photo Credit Little Ways Photography

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The Little Blessings Of Everyday Life

Driving to mass this past Sunday (1/1/17) with my mom I commented on the beautiful sunset over the city and how it would be perfect if it could be tied into the homily. This thought (and the fact that the sunset wasn't a part of the homily) inspired me to again take some time and write my own reflection on the readings.

This Sunday's Mass was not only a regular Sunday Mass and also wasn't simply the first mass of a new year, it was also the celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Between the new year, this solemnity, and the readings themselves there is a great deal to reflect upon.

As corny and hokie as I know what I am about to type sounds, it also rings true and is worth saying despite how corny and hokie it is. On December 31, at midnight we all celebrated the beginning of a new year. For many of us this included spending time with friends, drinking, too much food, and a laundry list of resolutions for the new year. New Year's Day is fittingly the Solemnity of the Mary, mother of God. I say fittingly because as the New Year brings innumerable possibilities, as well as a fresh perspective on life and new start, Mary's yes and willingness to bring into this world Jesus the Christ brings a new way of looking at the entirety of human history. Jesus provides us with a new way to not only look at a new year but all of eternity (I told you it was corny and hokie).

Bearing this in mind it is Mary's yes, subsequently Jesus' life and mission, that allows us to look at the world in a whole new light. Simply put, without Mary, without Jesus we are stuck in a year that never ends, we are unable to look to the future with the renewed joy and anticipation that we associate with a New Year.

In the first reading from Numbers we hear the following, "The LORD said to Moses: 'Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:22-27). Beautiful words, words that may call to your mind 'the Irish Blessing' as they did for me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVroLvppiYM).

These however were simply words. Beautiful, meaningful, loving words, but words none the less. Through Mary's yes, through Jesus' presence physically as a human in the world we are permitted to now see the blessings God has for us in the created order itself. Little everyday blessings like that of a beautiful sunset.

In the second reading we hear Paul's words ring true in our own lives. "When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.* As proof that you are children,* God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' So that you are no longer a slave but a child,* and if a child* then also an heir, through God." (Galatians (4:4-7). These words highlight in their own way how the birth of Jesus into this world has a lasting impact upon our lives.

Finally in the Gospel we hear a narrative of Jesus' birth. This stresses the important role that Mary played. Luke (2:16-21) perhaps unknowingly and perhaps only implicitly calls the readers attention to the reality that it was Mary, the mother of God, who through her yes, and through her womb made the birth of Jesus possible.

As you move on throughout your day and your week ponder the following thing:

Where would we be without our mothers?
Where would Jesus be without his mother?
Where would we be without Jesus?
What little everyday blessings will you see in the world around you?

*Changed from son(s) for the purpose of inclusivity.

Back Cause I'm Pissed

This past weekend I was back home and excited to head to my favorite restaurants, see friends and family, and at the very least attempt to take a break from the stress of grad school (there simply isn't enough alcohol in the world for this last bit). I was also excited to return to my old stomping ground for mass. I will not mention the church or the priest by name... cause I'm pissed and this is going to be somewhat critical (the "somewhat" made me lol too).

This past weekend we had readings from Wisdom, Philemon, and Luke. All good readings, yet sadly the priest I listened to only talked about the reading from Luke. Priests do this often, focusing on one of the three readings that is particularly moving for them, or highlights a particular topic that the local community or society at large needs to spend more time focusing on. With this in mind I must at this moment own my own bias and say that while Fr. Blank (as if Blank is the man's actual last name haha) focused only on the Gospel I may very well have only focused on the second reading, the letter from St. Paul that itself is only one chapter, 23 versus.

In the second reading we hear a portion of Paul's letter to Philemon, a slave holder to whom Paul has returned a run away slave.

Philemon is the master of a slave that has run away. Paul obeying the current societal norms sends the slave back and writes a letter, a letter that I would like to call a great failure at Catholic Guilt. Again, a slave ran away from their master. Paul sent them back. The reading began

"I, Paul, an old man, 

and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,

urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,

whose father I have become in my imprisonment;

I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you." 

How is that not the focus of every homily whenever any verse from Philemon is read at mass? He was a slave, and Paul sent him back. Am I the only one thinking (Screaming often times out loud) that this is a massive problem?

At what point do we stop and say, 'this is WRONG!'? At what point do we look at the slave master and say, 'what you are doing is WRONG!'? At what point to we allow ourselves to step up and speak out?

The same day that we saw these readings in the missal and heard them read aloud at mass we also witnessed the canonization of Mother Teresa, now officially St. Teresa. This woman, this St. is a prime example of standing up to the societal and cultural norms and enacting real change for the least of those around you. She lived her life speaking out for those who were voiceless. Those enslaved by poverty felt her love and experienced her mercy. 

In Luke's Gospel we hear the often-troubling lines,

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,

wife and children, brothers and sisters,

and even his own life,

he cannot be my disciple.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me

cannot be my disciple." 

In this we should not hear the words of Jesus telling us to hate our families. We should not leave mass thinking, 'Oh God why must I hate in order to follow you?' Rather we should leave mass realizing that we should not let anything get in our way of following Christ. We should not allow our family, a religious order, our friends, or the societal/social norms get in our way. We should pick up our crosses, as St. Teresa did, as Paul could have and boldly follow in the footsteps of Christ never being too timid to flip a couple of tables or look in the face of an oppressor and say what you are doing is wrong! 

He was a slave. Paul sent him back. This is wrong. This is a problem. How can we, moving forward, free ourselves and our society from the present day slavery that often surrounds us? 

*Written while listening to the score from Schindler's list 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTs83Ej5nS8&index=1&list=PLABB56F4F645F1786

"My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?"

How often have we cried out asking God this question, "My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?" from the lips of crucified Christ according to Matthews Gospel we hear Jesus quoting Psalm 22. But let us reflect a moment how often have we asked this of God? Is it ok that we are asking this of God? What does this say about our relationship with God? All good questions, otherwise I wouldn't waste yours/my time in asking them (I am unable to ask a question without first attempting to answer it myself). However I feel that there may be a more important follow up question to ask, "How many times has God asked my children my children why have you abandoned me?" Are there moments in life when we have completely abandoned God?

Yesterday marked the start of Holy Week. With a name like Holy Week it would seem that it goes without saying that it is an important week. However I would like to reemphasis the importance of this week, far too often it is easy to jump right to Easter, however if we do that we miss out on the beauty of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, we also miss out on an opportunity to journey with Christ to the Cross.

Thursday masses around the world the presiding priest will wash feet (Pope Francis has officially stated that women are to be included in this practice, and will himself be washing the feet of refugees). Several parishes will do this differently than others. Some will have 12 men (and only men) having their feet washed, others will have 12 adults (and only adults, men and women), and still others will have 12 parishioners (men, women, adults and children/young adults), or in the a rare experience the parish will have communal foot washing where anyone is welcome to come and have their feet washed, and even wash the feet of others. If you are given the opportunity to participate please do (it is worth it!). Even if you are unable to participate actively in this practice, attend the service and I invite you to think of whose feet you would be willing to wash.

On Friday there are a couple of differing options for services as well. Good Friday is the one day of the year where a mass is not celebrated. By this I mean that on Good Friday the Eucharist used at any service was consecrated on Thursday night. While certain services will offer an opportunity to partake in the Eucharist do not be surprised if your Parish does a passion service or stations of the cross instead. Most places will also have an opportunity for veneration of the cross. Again I strongly encourage you to participate in this (it is worth it!). With most people having to work it is understandable if you cannot make it to your typical service or that life gets in the way and you simply cant make it anywhere. If this is the case I invite you to listen to the following reflecting in your own way on the beauty of the cross. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsBiaBTFADI

Saturday is your opportunity to partake in the Easter Vigil, yes this means you went to mass three days in a row, and yes the vigil is typically 2.5-3 hours (it is worth it!). At this mass the liturgy of the word takes us through the entirety of salvation history, it is also at this mass that we welcome the newly baptized and confirmed into the church (do you know how many people in your parish are joining the Catholic community you call home? The parish I go to here in Ohio has 17 baptisms and 27 confirmations).

I understand that this sounds like a lot of mass, a lot of church, a waste of time and maybe it is. However when I am asked what it is every year that keeps me where I am when it comes be being Catholic or not no matter how much I disagree with some of my fellow Catholics or some Church teachings I find the beauty and truth of my faith again this week.


If you have never participated in the Triduum (Holy Thursday Good Friday and Easter Vigil) let this year be the first time you do so. If you have never participated because you don't know how or want to do so alone then please join me. I can walk through it all with you! I will be at the Cathedral Holy Thursday 7:00 PM, Good Friday 8:00PM and EasterVigil 8:30PM. Don't let another year go by where you only celebrate in the resurrected Christ. Let this be the first year that you journey towards the resurrection with him and with all those around you. Let the beauty of the faith fill your Holy Week, and fill your life.

Peace and Blessings Always
~M

Stupid Bells

Why do the bells ring?

A seemingly simple question. With an even simpler answer. 

With the renovated chapel at UD officially open for business the bells are ringing on the hour. 

With this "new development" my boss asked her class the simple question why do the bells ring. The question in one sense stumped them. 

The very practical answer is well they ring every hour. Which of course is now true. But that doesn't answer the why in its fullest sense. Sure church bell towers helped to establish the modern system of time that we have. Most specifically the bells were used as a call to prayer. Conveniently enough the times for prayer were also great times to break from work and eat. 

However the reality is that the bells ring not only to call us to prayer, but most fully to call our attention toward God. Let us build a tower and fill it with bells and when the bells ring out the people will naturally look up and behold the beauty of the sky and all that is around them. They will this find the beauty of God in all things and the sweet music that the bells make will again draw our attention towards God. 

This question has become something I know ask myself one regular basis. Why do the bells rings. Obviously I know the answer so why do I keep asking? Why do the bells ring? 

In a sense (one of my new favorite noncommittal phrases) in asking myself this question even when the bells aren't ringing I am asking myself to reflect on the that which deserves the greatest importance! A call to reflect on God. To direct my attention towards that which is far superior, to call my attention towards God! 

Peace and Blessings Always 

~M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL6gLm7vgM0

Disclaimer: this was typed out on my phone.