Father Greg

To Go to God

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 671 | Dedication of Saint John Lateran | Saturday, November 9, 2019

In today’s Gospel we have the ‘Cleansing of the Temple’ where Jesus overturned the money tables, and drove out the money changers and the animal handlers – to purify the Temple. I think Jesus does the same thing to this Temple, to our hearts, and our souls. And why? John of the Cross says, “The soul must empty itself of all that is not God in order to go to God.” With that in mind, let us ask Jesus to do to this Temple what he did to that Temple on that day.

Strikingly Shrewd

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 489 – Friday, November 8, 2019

We have a very interesting parable Gospel passage today – about the shrewd steward who lessens everyone’s invoice so they feel indebted to him and take him in when he’s fired. And Jesus admires this! Why? Maybe because the steward shows gumption and creativity. And that’s what Jesus wants. Even the great Teresa of Avila says, “I was strikingly shrewd when it came to mischief.” I think that’s the call of today’s Gospel – to be strikingly shrewd. Jesus seems to like it.

Looking At Christ Who Is Looking At Us

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 488 – Thursday, November 7, 2019

In today’s Gospel we have two parables, very similar – the lost sheep and the lost coin. Jesus is looking for us. But Teresa of Avila reminds us that we should be looking for Jesus. She writes, “We should occupy ourselves in looking at Christ who is looking at us.”

Freedom of Spirit

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 487 – Wednesday, November 6, 2019

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says whoever does not take up his cross and follow him is not worthy to be his disciple. But Jesus doesn’t say why. Why should we take up this cross? But Teresa of Avila answers it. She says, “If you wish to gain freedom of spirit begin by not being afraid of the cross.” Because it is the crosses of our lives that pull us past ego, past fear, past self-appetites, past selfishness – and self. It is the cross that brings us to freedom. So if you wish to gain freedom, begin by not being afraid of the cross.

Under the Pretext of Serving You

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 486 – Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Saint Teresa of Avila has an interesting and thought-provoking line. She says, “What a pity it was to have left you, my Lord, under the pretext of serving you.” Oftentimes, yes, we’re busy with the chaos of our lives, our busy minds, you know; but sometimes we leave the Lord because we think we’re serving the Lord. It’s easier to do something than it is to pray. Or do something than it is to be silent. Or do something than it is to introspect. Yes, I think she’s right – it is a pity when we leave the Lord under the pretext of serving the Lord. This is an extra warning in today’s Gospel when Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God being like a banquet and all the invited guests bow out one by one. Are we doing the same?

Immensely Rich

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 485 – Monday, November 4, 2019

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us to invite to the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame – in a word, everybody – to a banquet that we hold. We think, “How can we do this?” Teresa of Avila reminds us. She says, “How can we share our gifts lavishly if we do not understand that we are rich?” That’s how we can do this. We are immensely rich. We can share with everybody.

To Reach New Territory Take New Roads

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 153 – Sunday, November 3, 2019

In his Sayings of Light and Love, Saint John of the Cross instructs us that, “Travelers cannot reach new territory if they do not take new roads and abandon the old familiar ones.” Good advice! In today’s Gospel, Jesus is going to Jericho – a new road for him. But more importantly, Zacchaeus is climbing a sycamore tree. That’s a new road for him. He’s going to reach new territory: comfort, and closeness, and love of Jesus. If we want those, we need to take new roads and abandon the old familiar ones that are getting us nowhere.

Let All Souls Be Saved

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 668 | Commemoration of All Souls | Saturday, November 2, 2019

On the day of her profession as a Carmelite, Saint Therese of Lisieux carried a piece of paper in the habit pocket over her heart and it said, “Jesus, allow me to save many souls. Let no soul be lost today. Let all the souls in Purgatory be saved. Jesus, pardon me if I say anything I should not say. I want only to give you joy, and to console you.” On this Feast of All Souls, make that your mission. Let us make that our mission.

Who/What are Carmelite Beatitudes Today?

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 667 – Solemnity of All Saints, Friday, November 1, 2019

In today’s Gospel we have the Beatitudes on this Feast, this Solemnity of All Saints. Sister Constance is a nun at Baltimore Carmel and she’s written a set of Carmelite Beatitudes. They’re available online. I’m not going to read them all, but just a few and you’ll get that feel for carmelite-ness in her Beatitudes.

Blessed are they who journey through darkness, for they shall find light and great joy.
Blessed are they who hold the sorrows of this world in their prayer, for they shall see humanity’s glorious transformation.
Blessed are they love the trials of the spiritual journey, for they shall be purified.
Blessed are they who are silent and find a place for ‘other,’ for they will learn to see all things in God.

Her list continues. The Beatitudes are paths to sanctity; whether they are Jesus’ in Matthew’s Gospel or Sister Constance’s, available to you online. The call is to be saints ourselves and we do this by being “Blesseds” in the world today.

Good to Be Caught Up in Trifles

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 482 – Thursday, October 31, 2019

In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, Saint Therese uses many different images. One of my favorites is of a little bird. She writes, “Ahhh, this little bird picks up a grain, then it chases after a little worm, then coming upon a little pool of water it wets its feathers hardly formed, then it sees an attractive flower its little mind is absorbed with this little flower. In a word, it is unable to soar like the eagles. This little bird is caught up in the trifles of the earth. But, O Jesus, your little bird is happy to be weak and little and would it never become big because then it would not have the tenacity, the boldness, to be in your presence and fall asleep. Yes, keep me weak, Lord. This little bird wants to fix its gaze upon you.” Today, Jesus uses the image of wanting to gather little birds under his wings. I think Therese has captured this very well.