Reflections of a beloved son

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Matthew 18:15 Memorial of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Oftentimes I find that when people have a problem with another person, they would go and tell everyone about the problem except that person. Yes, it may have some therapeutic effects by venting and unloading with a trusted friend or mentor, but it doesn’t solve the problem. Jesus told His disciples that if we have a problem with another person, we ought to go to that individual in person and not everyone else first. To resolve any conflict, we must face it head on and we must encounter the other. If that doesn’t work then we bring other people in. There is something special about the 1 on 1 encounter. There is a vulnerability there as well as trust and humility. These enable us to reveal ourselves to the other in a way that touches the heart. It is only when the heart is reached will there be forgiveness, reconciliation, and resolution. When ...

“Do you love me?” Jesus asks Peter this question three times. Each time He gives Peter a command and mission. Jesus was restoring Peter to his place and reminding him of the great task that He has entrusted to him – to be the shepherd of His flock here on earth. For every time Peter denied Him, Jesus gave him the opportunity to reconcile. Afterwards Jesus described to Peter the nature of discipleship – we will sometimes be led to where we rather not go. Then Jesus extends to Peter the invitation, “Follow me.” When we fall short, Jesus asks us, “Do you love me” not to make us feel guilty, but to remind us of how much He loves us. He only seeks to forgive, reconcile, restore, and invite.  Today, Jesus invites us to relationship with Him. He asks us, “Do you love me?” He meets us where we are and walks with us as we journey along. He sees our wounds, pains, brokenness, and says to us “I love you. Just as I show you my wounds so you can show me yours. Our wounds are not something to ...

Today in the Catholic Church we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  Jesus was born into a human family so that He can experience life as we do, and be like us in all things but sin.  God in His infinite wisdom planned for Jesus to be born into a poor family and in a lowliest of manners - among the animals, laid in a manger - the feeding place for animals.  Not too long after Jesus was born, Joseph, His foster father, was told in a dream, " Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you."  And so, he did. The life of the Child was already sought the moment He was born (before, really).  Perhaps, this does make sense - Jesus, after all, was born to die, and by that death, to save, to redeem, and to live.  I can only imagine how Joseph and Mary was feeling.  Their son's life was sought after and the King wanted Him dead.  " Herod is going to search for the child and destroy him." ...

" I am going fishing " said St. Peter, and the other disciples who were there said "We also will come with you."  At this point, Jesus had appeared to the Apostles before already.  They were no longer hiding in the locked room.  The appearances of Jesus had gradually warmed their hearts and strengthened their spirits.  But, Peter returned to fishing instead of spreading the news that Jesus had risen from the dead.  However, even here we can see what Jesus said to Peter in the very beginning coming to fulfillment: " Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men " (Mt. 4:19).  The disciples said to Peter, "We are coming with you!"  Peter was catching men, but perhaps he did not see the significance of this yet.   And so they set out for the sea to catch some fish. They caught nothing.  They were unable to catch anything because they have been called to catch men and be for God, fishers of men.  They were unable to catch anything beca...

Selections from Part III of a talk I gave on the Parable of the Prodigal Son **If you would like the audio of the talks from any of the three parts, please comment below with your email address (if that is possible). Part III: The Invitation – Resistance and Humility While the YS was away from home and while the father was waiting, what could the older son have been doing all along?   Holding onto grudges?   Upset with the father because he gave the younger brother the share of the inheritance?   He is stuck with all the work?   Upon hearing the rejoicing and celebrating, the older son is confused as to what is happening.   He is angry, upset, and jealous.   He does not understand the father.   You must know someone before you can understand them.   Even though the son has been with the father all this time, he does not know him. Do we know the father?   Do I know that I am His beloved? The father comes out.   Again, th...

Selections from Part II of a talk I gave on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Part II: The Encounter – Reconciliation and Communion “His father caught sight of him.”   What was the father doing all this time?   When the son petitioned to leave, the Father did not plead and cling on to the son.   He lets him go, not because he did not love him.   But because the Father loved him.   In loving him, the Father allowed the son to act in freedom and exercise his free will.   The father said, “Okay, here is your share.   If you want to, you can go.   I will not stop you. The world is not pretty.   It can only offer you temporary comfort and happiness.   You can go, but know that when you go, you will experience pain and suffering.   You will experience a profound sense of loss and lacking.   You will be hurt.   You will be rejected.   But you can go.   Go, but know that this will always be your home.   You ma...

Selections from Part I of a talk I gave on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Younger son (YS) – “give me” mentality, I deserve my inheritance, it belongs to me – I take; “The son is as impatient as the father was kind” (Peter Chrysologus).   (Grasping and grabbing)   Really saying to the Father:  “I wish you were dead.”  It is usually only when someone dies that we receive inheritance. Imagine what takes place during those few days before the son leaves.   When the son leaves and sets off to a distant country, he is not only leaving home, but he is leaving himself.   He wishes to leave his identity behind.   He wants to be his own person.   How often are we tempted by this?   “Be somebody” the world tells us.   Somebody powerful, rich, and famous.   Be somebody.   We are already somebody.   We are God’s beloved.   Each one of us.   We are loved by the Father from all eternity.   “I have loved you with...

As published on the Seminarian Casual Blog “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Lk. 9:33).   In Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, Peter was described as not knowing what he was saying when he had suggested to make three tents for Our Lord, Moses, and Elijah.   Commentaries say that Peter was moved by impulsive zeal .   In the Scriptures when tents are mentioned it is usually related to building tabernacles.   In his exposition of the passage, St. Ambrose commented, “Although he did not know what he said, he promised an observance that does not heap up the fruits of piety in indiscreet carelessness but untimely zeal.   His ignorance came from his condition, but his promise from his devotion.   The human condition is corruptible in this.   This mortal body is not capable of making a tabernacle for God.”   So, perhaps Peter was impulsive but at the core of his h...