Mercy May Be Unnatural

The gospel story today about the woman caught in adultery, the authorities with stones in hand and Jesus writing in the sand is always intriguing to me. Mercy is one of the "church words" that we so often hear and use, but infrequently consider and perhaps nearly never practice. We commonly use the phrase "forgive and forget" or maybe "Just get over it!" or "Give him/her a break!" To me most of those phrases and practices allow for me to get something in return. Maybe it's a rehearsed apology or a mumbled "Sorry!". Maybe it's just a sheepish look or a thankful smile or hug--but I get something for my trouble and I feel justified. Mercy doesn't hold that element. With mercy I don't get anything other than the knowledge that God's power is at work in me. Imagine a world where nations made mercy operative! Wouldn't that be something? It's not natural, at least for me, to be merciful and wait for no return token of justice. But maybe sometimes what is natural may be better for cholesterol than it is for the soul! Happy 5th Sunday of Lent, Merciful Ones!

What's On Your Breastplate?

There's a very common commercial for a credit card company that concludes with the question, "What's in your wallet?" I was praying the prayer supposedly found on St. Patrick's Breastplate and it occured to me that it would be interesting to ponder what words I might put on my breastplate. What inspiration, what power of words would I want closest to my heart in times of peace or trouble, in times of silence or contention, in times of prayer or partying. What would I hold there? St. Patrick chose to inscribe words about the omnipresence of Jesus--his "everywhere-ness". That works for me. I so often forget Jesus' closeness and tend to think of him out there or with some truly holy person, rather than right here with and in me. However, I truly love the last two lines, "Praise to the Lord of my salvation--Salvation is of Christ the Lord!" Salvation is not in my worrying, my craftiness, my tech-savvy, my connections, my political clout, etc. etc. etc. Salvation is of Christ the Lord! That's a good one! I think I might have to simplify the good Saint's words and inscribe, "Jesus in my heart--baptized! Jesus in my joy--forgiven! Jesus in my hands--nourished! Jesus in my soul--consecrated! Jesus in my hour of death--called! Amen!

Irish Melancholy or Reality?

Is it just me, or does it seem like the Church has takes more than its share of hits in the media? I read in Time magazine about priests embezzling large amounts of money from parishioner donations. I saw an episode of "Cold Case" in which a group of sisters running a home for unwed mothers back in the 60's were made to look like monsters and black marketeers. Granted there is probably an element of truth in both examples, but I wonder why the media so often finds ways to be critical of the Catholic Church in particular? I was listening to an evangelical minister preach the other day and it occured to me that he portrayed himself as having a clear roadmap, an exact recipe, a surefire plan for finding God and attaining heaven. I don't think our Church does that. We are always required to think, to ponder, to pray, to search. We are called upon to pray the Scriptures and to search our hearts for Truth. I hear so many today claiming an "easy way". This so appeals to us as Americans. I hear of "The Secret" and preachers proclaiming that God wants us to be monetarily rich and in possession of the finer things. I don't think that's a Catholic outlook at all. We are not called to take the wide and paved path, but rather,we are to enter through the narrow gate. Maybe that's part of why we become such a target. We don't offer a socially acceptable approach to salvation. It takes some effort, some dedication, some denial on our part. That's what Lent is all about!