Living Wages

Does justice exist in paying an a full time employee a salary below the poverty line ($1300 a month in 2012)? Cesar Chavez ( 1927-1993) raised these questions.  Above  is short video of his life and work.

What actions can we take to alleviate poverty in the US? Please share your thoughts.  

Poverty in America

-Recently, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops have focused on poverty in America. Above, is my contribution. :)
Visit www.usccb.org for more info.

United States Department of Health and Human Services Executive Decision

The Catholic bishops of the United States of America have called. They want individuals everywhere to know decisions established and maintained by the United States government Executive Branch violate rights to citizen's religious freedom. In particular, actions taken by the Department of Health and Human Resources require that all employee health care plans cover human sterile, contraceptive, and abortive techniques. A clause does provide for religious exemptions, but only for those religious institutions/organizations that employ a specific percentage of workers who adhere to that specific belief system. Catholic hospitals, shelters, food supply houses do not meet these requirements. The Catholic Bishops have asked that individuals concerned over these issues pray and fast.

Here is Anthony Taylor's letter to the individuals of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock: 

http://www.dolr.org/bishop/hhsletter_012512.pdf

  

Day 8: The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (Western Church)

Focus today is on the word "conversion." Conversion is not a onetime event, it is something that Christians and individuals of other faith traditions strive for continuously and daily. Father Almighty, aid our ears and  heart to love You  more and more, day by day. Come into our lives with Your Brightness and Spirit.. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

The hymn above was found in John Cassian's book of prayer. He founded the Monastery of St. Victor in France ca. 415 A.D. Cassian's work profoundly affected the mindset and heart of Saint Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Religious Order.

Day 7

Today is a turning point in our prolonged period of prayer for Christian unity. Our Gospel reflection is Jn 21:15-19: Go feed my sheep. Here is where we take our faithful, hopeful and charitable interior lives and turn it to our neighbor. Gratitude, thankfulness, joy, and the need for more of God's Spirit comes into my heart as I acknowledge the inherent value of each human, regardless of external characteristic.    

Today's closing prayer:


Father of all, You call us to be one flock in Your Son, Jesus Christ. He is our Good Shepherd who invites us to lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters, and restores our souls. In following him, may we so care for others that all see in us the love of the one true Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Day 6 of a Prolonged Period of Prayer for Christian Unity: Changed Through God's Steadfast Love

The title of today's theme emphasizes a critical, critical theological, faith-based point: God's Look of  Love is always in front of us. Below is a series of questions that arise from ecumenical periods of prayer and reflection:

1) Are there any hidden hostilities that effect our relationship to each other as Christian communities? If so, what are they?  

2) How can we learn to welcome our neighbor as Christ welcomes us?  

3) Respecting the right of each to believe as he or she wishes, how can Christian love be shown in a diverse world? 

Please do not hesitate to leave your on ideas to these questions.

 Closing: 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by Your Resurrection You have triumphed over death, and have become the Lord of life. Out of love for us You have chosen us to be Your friends. May the Holy Spirit unite us to You and to one other in the bonds of friendship, that we may faithfully serve You in this world as witnesses to Your steadfast love; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Day 5: Unity Through the Risen Christ

It is raining here today, but notions of and prayers for Christian Unity remain strong. Although the clouds today hide the sun here, Light Itself, Our Lord Jesus, burns bright in human souls everywhere. This apparent darkness directs the human mind to focus even more fervently on the Mystery unseen.

Heavenly Father,
Today you raised Your Son from the dead.
Fill us with Your Spirit,
and unite all peoples in love and justice.
May we grow in renewed hope and faith
in Your promise of Life-Everlasting.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and
the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.

Day Four of Prolonged Period of Prayer for Christian Unity: Changed by Jesus' Victory over Evil

The English word "change." Wow, does it have many different meanings and uses. It is a noun and a verb, and can mean anything from monetary amounts to shifts in interior feelings and world outlooks. Here, we would like to address shifts in interior feelings, and how transfigured interior states effect an individual's world outlook. What is Joy? How does it feel to be joyful? Have we ever smiled with our heart? These are concepts that arise as we reflect on the event of Our Lord conquering death and darkness.

He did defeat darkness, once and for all.  Church leaders have selected wonderful texts for us to think about today: In Exodus, for example, we hear how fear and loneliness can come into our hearts, if we do not prayerfully examine life's events and occurrences, seeking truth, goodness, and excellence in all of our words and actions. But I would like to bring up Psalm 36:10: "In Your Light we see Light itself."  God is not a brightness that fades; His mercy, His warm smile greets us always, like a Father checking on his child in his or her bedroom during the night. ( thank you Father Joe, for that analogy). Again, God has already won the battle for our souls, and it is now time (high time, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, lol)  to respond to His Victory heartily and in truth. 

Here is a prayer as we await the full dawn of the ever-lasting Sunday morning: 

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your victory over evil and division. We praise You for Your sacrifice and Your resurrection that conquer death. Help us in our everyday struggle against all adversity. May the Holy Spirit give us strength and wisdom so that, following You, we may overcome evil with good, and division with reconciliation. Amen.

Day Three of an Eight day Prayer for Christian Unity

Our texts today can be contemplated cohesively: they all point toward the cross, and beg us to ask questions: what does the cross of Christ mean, do I share in it, and how I am I to respond to the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus?

I think no doubt a wonderful response to Christ's Saving actions are exhibited by John the Evangelist. He said love your neighbor, respond with kindness and gentleness to your neighbor ( and he lived an earthly life of 93 years; that is a heck of a long time).  :)

Our walk beside Jesus to Calvary is clarified by a worldview that acknowledges the imperfection of this life and holds fast to the Joy, Peace, and Treasure in the next.

Father Eternal, 
Send down Your Spirit
to enliven hearts everywhere. 
May suffering heads stay held 
high, in discipleship of Your
Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Texts for reflection are Is. 53:3-11, Ps. 22:12-24, 1 Pt 2:21-25, Lk. 25-27

Day Two: "Changed Through the Patient Waiting for the Lord"

Day Two's theme, in our week-long Prayer for Christian Unity, is "Changed Through the Patient Waiting for the Lord."  The Gospel text for reflection is Mt 3:3-17: Let it be so for now, for it is proper to fulfill all righteousness.

To me, the Gospel text for today has a strong meaning: be still. My natural mode of operation is to run; run away from all the problems inside me, run away from the world. This is opposed to remaining seated in my chair, identifying those elements of heart and mind that are disturbing me, and asking God's Spirit to fill those spaces. (We know each time we ask God to send down His Spirit upon us, he never refuses.) The final and most wonderful phase ( in anticipation of the ever-lasting peace He offers us) of this interior,daily journey is resting in His Peace and His Joy, and becoming aware that he is calling my neighbors to the same lasting peace. 

 Join moments of silent reflection on what this Gospel text means to you, if interested. Feel free to share your reflections below. If not, that is ok, too.

A question that may help in acknowledging that all Christians perhaps have more common ground than many of us are aware is: Is there anyone is your life you have seen wait for better times, was it beneficial to them?

Closing Prayer:

Faithful God, you are true to your word in every age. May we, like Jesus, have patience and trust in your steadfast love. Enlighten us by your Holy Spirit that we may not obstruct the fullness of your justice by our own hasty judgements, but rather discern your wisdom and love in all things. ; You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

Additional Christian scriptural resources include: 1 Sm 1:1-20, Ps. 140, Heb 11:32-34. I would also recommend Ez. 11:19: I will put a new spirit within you, replacing your natural, stony heart.

Know of God's blessings and my prayers. 

                                               Josh

Day One of a Week Long Reflection

Our brothers and sisters in East and Central Asia have already begun the first of eight days of Prayer for Christian Unity ( It's 2:41 PM in Seoul. South Korea right now). lol  :)  . Resources , full text, and other information regarding the week can be found at http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/weeks-prayer-doc/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20110414_week-prayer-2012_en.html

Wendsday's theme for reflection is "Christ came to serve, not to be served." (MK 10:45). If interested,  take  45 seconds or so to reflect on this Gospel passage.

How does this Gospel statement change our mindsets about how we view our neighbors? Does it emphasis value of neighbor? Is it a common thread of Christianity extending from the most Ancient Churches to contemporary Evangelical Communities? I would love to hear your responses and reflections below.

Please take a few more moments of silence to enhance our awareness of service to neighbor, and its importance.

Closing:

Almighty and eternal God, by travelling the royal road of service your Son leads us from the arrogance of our disobedience to humility of heart. Unite us to one another by your Holy Spirit, so that through service to our sisters and brothers, Your true countenance may be revealed; You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

Other Scriptures relating to today's refection include Zech 9 :9-10, Psalm 131, Rom 12:3-8. 

News from the Vatican

The week of January 15, 2012 is busy for those in the Western Church. During his comments two days ago Benedict VXI spoke about the call of Samuel, and those that hear the same call today. The Pope's prayer, as leader of the church here on Earth, was that faithful hearts everywhere respond, as Samuel did, with open ears.
The Pope strongly encouraged those active in a spiritual life to communicate frequently with an ordained minister for objective analysis of what God may be saying to that particular person engaged in a spiritual life.

The week of Jan. 15 is also the universal church's formal time to recognize the characteristics of a migrant's life. Below is an excellent video exploring the topic along with a link to Bishop Anthony Taylor's Pastoral  Letter, "I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: A Pastoral Letter on the Human Rights of Immigrants." http://www.dolr.org/bishop/iwasastrangerletter/pastoralimmigration_english.pdf This letter was released in 2008.

January 17 is the beginning of a prolonged period of Prayer for Christian Unity.  It lasts until the Feasts of St. Peter and Paul later this month. Above is the Our Father, sung in Taize, France. Taize is a community extremely committed to Christian Unity. Thir website is www.taize.fr.

Blessings to all for a Wonderful week.

I would also recommend looking at Psalm 91 for a great ecumenical prayer.

Martin Luther King

Individuals and groups across the globe are pausing today to reflect on Martin Luther King's life and mindset. I would like to highlight his commitment to nonviolence and his focus on the inherent dignity of each human, regardless of external characteristic. King saw and knew God's Lght and Love.  I just love a lot of what the singer Laryn Hill has to say; I think here she reflects on how intimacy with God forces us to look at our neighbor and stand, always acknowledging the importance of manners and diplomacy, against injustices.

The Church Building as Place of Worship And Place of Gathering

Catholic Christians follow the Judeo definition of when a day begins and end;a new day begins at sunset. A we enter into The Lord's Day, may we remember the twofold function of the church building itself: a place of worship, as well as a place of gathering.  We gather as a parish, diocese, and catholic church to invite the Lord's Spirit to come down, make us a community, and remain with us as we go through the week to share Christ's light and love with our neighbors, perhaps through a warm smile or hospitable spirit..

Prayer and the Psalms

Classifying the Psalms is messy business; but this messiness also gives us insight into the nature of human prayer: it can be messy, too. For example, we may be attempting to sit still in our rooms, and all the while our minds are racing about an impatient reaction on seeing the lines of people at the grocery store, or noticing how long we have been waiting at the doctors office.
       The Psalms are community prayers. They help us recognize that indeed the individual living across the street, across town, across the world is a fellow human. When we are in our rooms, and our minds are wondering during times that we want to spend with God, paying close attention to what a Psalm is saying, is a very reliable avenue to inviting God's Spirit into our world.   Psalm 34 is part of  Saturday Midday Prayer in the unceasing, public prayer of the Christian Church. Below is a song based on it:

The Beauty of The Angelus

The beautiful prayer The Angelus illustrates a critical point. The closing of the prayer especially does:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee,
O, Lord, Thy grace into our
hearts, that we to whom the
Incarnation of Christ, Your son, was made known by the message of an angel,
may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Ressurection, through the same Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Theologically, one of the critical points highlighted in this prayer include the phrases "His Passion, "His Cross, and His Resurrection." Wonder, peace in confidence lies in knowing that Jesus has already defeated death for us. All we have to do is open to God's love. May each human heart, Lord, open itself daily to rest and grow in Your Spirit. Amen.

Blessed morning to all. Here is a  6 minute rundown of how the Latin Church's liturgical calender is set up, and why it is this way :

1) Each new Liturgical Year begins with the first Sunday of Advent ( usually occurring either on the last Sunday of November or the First Sunday of December)

-the reason this is such is that Advent is a time of anticipation; anticipation of The Second Person of the Holy Trinity mixing very closely and intimately with humanity ( i.e. the Christmas Season). We start the liturgical New Year with Advent because it is a time of looking forward.

2) Various seasons occur during the liturgical year: here they are in order: Advent, Christmas, a few weeks of what is called Ordinary Time (will explain in point three), followed by Lent, The Paschal Tridum, The Season of  Easter begins during a vigil on Holy Saturday night and end 50 days later with Evening Prayer on Pentecost Sunday. We then renter Ordinary Time until the first week of Advent.

3) Meaning of each season:

 A. Advent: Anticipation of Christ's Second Coming and reflection and praise because of his Incarnation    
 2012 years in the Gregorian Calendar. The highlighted color is purple because the season is
 particularly focused on Jesus, and because Roman soldjers gave him a purple cloak to wear during his Passion and Cruxifiction.


 B. Christmas: During this time we especially remember God sending His sameness into our world, for our good, though He certainly was not required to do so. We celebrate the The Nativity of  of Our Lord, The changing human mindsets (events and renewals that happen still each day, thankfully) occurring at The Epiphany, the wonderful sign at the Wedding in Cana, and Our Lord's baptism in the River Jordan. The color for the season is white because white is full of light on the color spectrum, and Jesus, Christians hold, is the Light of the World through His Life, Death, and Resurrection. A large percentage of readings from Sacred Scripture come from John, because He loved Jesus so, so, so much.

 C. Ordinary Time: These are the weeks of the year that fall in between official celebrations and
  memorials centered on the saving actions of God. The color is green, because how wonderfully
 does  green invoke the senses of life (Check out "Morning has Broken," a wonderful early 20th
 Century hymn that gives us a picture and concept of life original, life restored, and what life is
 each morning). The Gospel readings focus on Jesus' earthly ministry. They are 34 weeks of
 Ordinary Time each year with 5 to 7 weeks occurring in January or February of each year.

 D. Lent: Lent is a time of refocused prayer. Many Western Christian denominations focus on giving
 to neighbor during this season, just as Christians hold that Jesus gave His Life for our well-being,  
 Eternal Life. ( And indeed He is the only person that could ever give his life for our full
 Redemption.) The color of this season is purple because our eyes, hearts, and minds are turned
 towards Jesus' journey to the Cross. The life changing, for us, Gospel narrative of The
Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor is a Sunday reading during this season.

E. The Paschal Tridum: This period of each year begins after memorials of The  Last Supper
on Holy Thursday. We walk through the Passion of Our Lord with him; we see the way He
carried his Cross and try to carry our sufferings and trails in the same manner: with our heads
held high.

F. Easter: Begins Holy Saturday night, and its color is white because through the Life, Death, and
 Resurrection of Jesus we are "washed whiter than snow, whiter than woven wool (Ps. 51
 and 147).  The firsts readings during this season usually come from The Acts of the Apostles;
 the Accession of Our Lord is celebrated 40 days after His Resurrection. It is usually transferred
 to the Sunday after the fortieth day of Easter so that as many of the faithful as possible can
 join in the celebration. The fiftieth day of Easter is Pentecost, where we remember Jesus
 sending His Spirit to the Apostles and their successors to remain until He returns.
         
       

Those Crazy Ears of Mine!

Sunday at Mass, I overheard two individuals speaking behind me. My crazy ears heard what they said, and sent the message to my sometimes speculative mind. Here's the crux of the situation and conversation. An individual who was not familiar with Catholic teaching was a guest. The host, when it came time for The Liturgy of the Eucharist said, "Alright, now this is the most important part of the Mass." I physically collapsed, and an ambulance had to come and get me...just kidding, lol...hey, we've always got to to have a good laugh.

Saint Jerome translating mostly Greek texts into Latin

        This particular Roman Catholic, although intent good, might need 20 minute refresher course on what the Liturgy is, and that is ok; the liturgy is a public response of faith and love from the created to the Creator. In our responses of gladness, we include, prior to the Liturgy of the Eucharist, what is called "The Liturgy of the Word." This word, Sacred Scripture, is such an important part of our prayer public, and when we go to our rooms each day or night for private prayer. When we reflective on the Word of God with mind and soul, beauty appears. God Almighty, send down Your Spirit and inspire faithful everywhere always to listen and respond attentively to what You have revealed through Sacred Scripture. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Christmastide's close in the West

From Ravenna, Italy

          Today is the last day of this season of Christmas. Oh, the joys we have celebrated, and Christmas lights in the Western Church still burn untill this evening. Today is a continuation of the Epiphany, the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. John the Baptist, our faithful and trusted friend, sees the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove; but his vision shows only glimpse of the essence of the Holy Trinity. His words, however, echo another element of the the things to which God is calling us. Action. Action to treat each individual with dignity and respect because that paticular person is called to the same heavenly home as you and me.: "I baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mk: 1: 7-11)
         Heavenly Father,we thank you for your gifts and blessings. May all hearts open generously to Your Spirit, and increase in faith, hope, and love of Your offering, Eternal Life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

The Epiphany

Today, North American Roman Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. It is a day of mindsets transfigured from focus on the worries and grinds of this life to the hope, stillness, peace and joy found in Heaven's Treasures. New realizations occur: all peoples have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit caring for them deeply right now. Stony, earthly hearts are transformed into hearts full of God's giving Spirit ( Ez 36:24-28).
       Jesus Christ, no darkness can overshadow Your light. Amen. 

  

   A tradition on The Epiphany in the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as other Eastern Churches, is to have the option to dunk yourself three times in ice cold water, feeling all over the cleansing and renewing power of The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ( Don't try this at home, lol, there are trained rescuers on site to make sure this guy doesn't drown!)

The Epiphany is called the Theophany in the East.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, today is the Sabbath, and tomorrow is the Lord's Day.  Yesterday, the sixth day of the week, God created man.  In our weakness,we turned from abundant life in The Garden of Eden. God, though he was not required to do so, initiated on the sixth day Paschal  ( the Greek word for "saving") actions, by granting, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Our Lord Jesus the courage to go through with The Father's plans.
        He died, so that we might live. Rather than accepting Abraham's sacrifice of Issac for the remission of humanity's sins and our potential not to trust in things unseen, God Almighty, in His goodness and in the fullness of time, sent flesh Incarnate, His Son, to be the only acceptable sacrifice and bridge back to Eternal Life. In our weekly memorials to God's saving work, Joseph of Arimathea, along with Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of God had  already buried Jesus at  midday Saturday.
        Saturday, the Sabbath, is a period of waiting and of great hope. It is a day of Passover.  We remember that Jesus laid in the tomb from just before sundown Friday to the end of Saturday. Christians wait for that glorious day, Sunday, the day that God created the Earth, resurrected His Son from the dead, ascended to heaven ( in the United States at least)  and sent the Holy Spirit to remain with the human race. Our great hope is Sunday, the pinnacle day of the Christian Liturgical calender. Today we anticipate with great hope and love. Tomorrow we rejoice in the light and life to come.
        God Almighty, through Your Son's Life, Death, and Resurrection, may faithful everywhere recognize Your presence and grace with them from night to night and day to day. We ask this through Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.  

Draw near to me, Paschal actions of God!

Fr. Jean Corbon, OP  ( Order of Preachers, known also as the Dominican Religious Order) taught me a lot. He helped me understand three very important days within the Christian faith tradition.  They are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The meanings of Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday's establish and maintain our identity as human brothers and sisters, open our hearts to the spirit of God and  allow us to recognize the imperfection of this life.

Here is a brief explanation of how Fridays affect spiritual life in Christian Tradition and their significance in Christian Theology.

Christ Jesus died that we might live on a Friday ( the day before the Sabbath). In turn, we draw closer to experiencing The Paschal Mystery through aligning our actions similarly to Jesus' actions on Good Friday. Perhaps we abstain from meat; perhaps we sit quietly in front of a crucifix for fifteen minutes; perhaps we say ten Our Fathers verbally in our room. All these actions are to remind us that we unable to gain Eternal Life for ourselves, that Jesus defeated death once and for all ( and thus we should not fill our lives with worry, regret, and guilt). The Second Person of the Holy Trinity has borne these things for us; through his Passion and Cross He has taken these from our shoulders. Our actions in memorial to Jesus' life-giving Way of the Cross remind us that indeed this world is passing, and guiding our eyes to our Heavenly permanent Home is in truth fruitful. 

Looks of Love and Receptivity

Above is a picture of John the Evangelist. Note his facial expression; to me it is a look of love.  May  individuals everywhere, Lord, develop their own looks of love and receptivity towards You and their neighbors. Amen.

Brother Peter Zhou

Peter Zhou Bang-Jiu is a monk of Saint Andrew's Monastery in Southern California. He originally  professed vows at Chengdu Monastery in Sichaun China. Begining in Nov. 1955, Peter spent

over 23 years detained by Communist authorities, including two years of solitary confinment. Here is an exerpt of a talk he gave on the 50th aniversery of profesed

vows in the year 2000:

I was very often criticized and struggled against in big and small sessions, but I had never been totally overthrown, nor had abandoned my principles, nor departed from my correct position. I was once beaten black and blue, but still resolutely refused to hold or read Mao ZeDung's "Quotations"


Before his arrest, near his father's home, on a high dike, Peter composed this prayer: "Merciful and Almighty God, You are able to help me respond continuously and very soon soon realize Your religious vocation granted me as a favor. If you let me become a fish temporarily, I would swim with the current to Chonqing, then into the Yangtze; I would pass through Nanjing and Shanghai, enter the East Sea, turn southward to Taiwan. Having retrieved my library there, I would finally reach Belgium and resume my monastic life in the Motherhouse!"


Monks from Saint Andre's/Zevenkerken  in Belgium founded Chengdu Monastery in the 1920s.

St. Andrew's in California was founded by the Belgian monks asked to leave China by The People's Republic of China. The monks in California prayed each night at Night Prayer for Brother Peter and for Father Paul Ou, who, in 1960, died in an earthly, East Asian prison.

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