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Immensity of Christ

Carmelite homily for Thursday, February 20, 2020 – Lectionary 338 (Mark 8:27-33)

In today’s Gospel Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they give a bunch of answers and finally Peter says, “You are the Christ.”  Then Jesus predicts his upcoming passion and death.  And Peter says, ‘Oh, This must not happen to you.’  Jesus, “Oh, behind me Satan for you do not think as God thinks but as human beings think.”  I think that’s the call of today’s Gospel: is to think beyond what human beings think; to think as God thinks.  Edith Stein (Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) writes, “Living in a Eucharistic way means coming out of oneself, out of the narrowness of one’s life and growing into the immensity of life in Christ.”  I think that’s why Jesus begins with the question, “Who do people say that I am?”  Is your understanding big enough, immense enough, to understand Jesus?  Because that’s what you’re called to grow into – that immensity.  That’s what we called as Christians, as Eucharistic people, as disciples – to grow into the immensity of Christ.  

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Consider Carefully

Carmelite homily for Sunday, December 8, 2019 – Lectionary 004 (Second Sunday of Advent)

Edith Stein, also known as Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, was a Carmelite who was executed – martyred – at Auschwitz.  She says, “If you decide for Christ it could cost your life.  Consider carefully what you promise.”  In today’s Gospel we have John the Baptist proclaiming Good News, and baptizing for repentance, and saying, the one following me I am not worthy to even untie his sandal.  He opts for Christ.  He decides for Christ.  And it costs him his life because that Christ-like message is so other-worldly.  Focused on the other; serving the other; living in truth; living in honesty; living in integrity; living in authenticity.  The world hates these actually.  So if you decide for Christ it could cost you your life.  Consider carefully what you promise.