Father Greg

Flowers in the Garden of God

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 480 – Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Carmel means “Garden of God” – Carm-El. That’s why the saints, the Carmelites saints, are likened to flowers, like the Little Flower called herself “Little Flower.” Here’s what Titus Brandsma in his book, “Carmelite Mysticism Historical Sketches,” says about Mary. “Mary is like a sunflower. This flower rises high above the other flowers. It is a simple flower. It can grow in all gardens. It is tall and firm with deep roots, always pointing towards the sun, yet keeping its head down in humility.” Today, in the Gospel, Jesus uses agricultural – gardening – metaphors. What kind of flower are you? Are you a weed? Are you a beautiful flower? Are you like Therese, a simple flower?

Fulfilled In His Call

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 666 – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Monday, October 26, 2019

In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, Saint Therese of Lisieux writes, “I wanted Carmel as soon as I learned of it; for all the aspirations of my soul are fulfilled in this Order.” I think that is what ‘call’ is – it’s to fulfill us, to fill the aspirations of our soul . In today’s Gospel we have the call, the vocation, of the twelve apostles. Yes, they’re working on their call, they’re working on their journey, they’re working on their discipleship. It’s the call for all us. But if Jesus calls us, all the aspirations of our souls will be fulfilled – in his call.

Judge Sits Highest

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 150 – Sunday, October 27, 2019

A few years ago I was on a jury, a jury trial, that lasted ten days. I learned a lot. What was really interesting is the layout of the courtroom. In the courtroom at the highest level you had the judge – sitting very high. Next to the judge was the witness box on one side; the jurors on the other side, sitting up, and then the alternate jurors a step down. And then there was the main floor which was everybody else. So it was really based on judgment. The judge being the highest judge was the highest. The jurors being the next judges were the second highest. The plaintiffs and defendants in the witness box, the third highest. Then everybody else. A very vertical structure, based on judgment. This is exactly what Jesus is getting at in this example of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, oftentimes called the Pharisee and the Publican. There’s a lot of judgment going on here. That’s why the Pharisee is being condemned because he places himself so high – above the Publican, above all other men, all other people. Jesus calls us to be brothers and sisters. Jesus calls us to live a horizontal life. To gather with him around the table. To gather with him as his companions, as his disciples, as his apostles. To gather with him horizontally. Whenever we put ourselves vertically – hmmm, I think we’re distant from how he calls us to live, how he calls us to be, how he calls, how he calls us his brothers and sisters.

Deeper Repentance

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 478 – Saturday, October 26, 2019

There’s a thought-provoking line from Saint John of the Cross. He writes, “Repent of your sins, but do not regret them, for your sins can teach you who you are.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus used the word “repent” a lot. I think that maybe he’s calling us to the deeper meaning of that word. Repent. Rethink. Pensar. To think, like, “pensive.” That’s the call of the Gospel. To think out what we’re doing; how we’re doing it; why we’re doing it. To think deeply. “Repent of your sins, but do not regret them, for your sins can teach you who you are.” Now that’s deep repentance.

But We Do Have Feelings

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 477 – Friday, October 25, 2019

There’s a line from Saint Therese of Lisieux. She writes, “In Carmel, we do not have enemies, but we do have feelings.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus is talking about opponents, magistrates and trials. I think the call is: let’s never get there. Let’s have feelings positive, in regard, patience for one another. Let’s not have enemies. In Carmel, we do not have enemies, but we do have feelings. Let’s hope they’re positive.

Jesus In My Cell

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 476 – Thursday, October 24, 2019

From his prison cell in Dachau, Titus Brandsma wrote a poem called Before a Picture of Jesus in My Cell.

A new awareness of thy love encompasses my heart;
Sweet Jesus, I in thee and thou
in my shall never part.

No grief shall fall my way but I
shall see thy grief-filled eyes;
the lonely way that thou once walked
has made me sorrow-wise.

All trouble is a white-lit joy,
that lights my darkest day;
thy love has turned to brightest light
this night-like way.

If I have thee alone,
the hours will bless
with still, cold hands of love
my utter loneliness. 

Stay with me, Jesus, only say;
I shall not fear
if, reaching out my hand,
I feel thee near.

Today’s Gospel is filled with upset and anxiousness and conflict but I think when we just put our hand in the hand of Jesus we can rise above it or live apart from it. That’s the call of today’s Gospel.

Gifts that are Best for Us

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 475 – Wednesday, October 23, 2019

In The Way of Perfection, Saint Teresa of Avila writes, “The Lord gives us gifts that are for our best, but we are quite capable of flinging them back in his face, because we want to cash in for the wealth we can understand.” I think that fits in well with today’s Gospel.

Mine are the Heavens

Carmelite Homily for Lectionary 474 — Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Wise or inspiring things that John of the Cross said were compiled into a little volume called Sayings of Light and Love. They are profound. This is Number 27. “Mine are the heavens and mine are the earth. Mine are the nations and the just are mine. Mine are the sinners. The angels are mine. And the Mother of God and all things are mine. And God himself is mine and for me because Christ is for me and all for me. What do you ask, then, or seek my soul? Yours is all of this and all is for you. Do not engage yourself in something less or pay heed to the crumbs that fall from your Father’s table. Go forth! and exult in your glory! Hide yourself in it and rejoice. And you will obtain the supplications of your heart.” I think that works well with today’s Gospel because Jesus has this reversal that when the master comes he will wait on the servants and feed the servants. Why? Because the servants are valuable. I am valuable; you are valuable; to God.

Oops!

Busy days = Falling behind

These have been busy days and I’ve fallen behind. Please do not even notice that I missed a few days and we’ll pick up starting today.

The Doors Open and the Doors Close

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 661 (Feast of Saint Luke) – Friday, October 18, 2019

Saint Therese is oftentimes called the Greatest Saint of Modern Times because she uses modern imagery in her writings. For example, she’ll say, “you can climb the rough staircase of perfection or ride the smooth elevator of love.” It’s a great image of going to heaven. But I extend it because when you take an elevator the doors open and the doors close; people get on and people get off. Sometimes they’re not people you want to deal with or sometimes they’re people who will help or give you advice. The elevator doors open and the elevator doors close on our journey to heaven. So in today’s Gospel, Jesus is sending the seventy-two and we think that they’re going to different places to prepare the way for him. No! They’re all going to you. One at a time. It’s like there are seventy-two floors – each one to teach you generosity, or patience, or fidelity, or hope, or optimism, or life, or love. Finally, the doors will open and there will be Jesus. But it takes the seventy-two to get us there.