Gospel Reflections for March 26 2017
Can you see?
I remember the day as a young teenager when I told my parents that I did not want to go to Mass. After all, the sermons were boring and I did not understand the prayers.
I grew up in Thousand Oaks, at that time a very small country town in Ventura County. Every day after school, my friends and I would have fun riding our bikes around town or hiking in the nearby hills.
When I announced that I did not want to go to Mass, my folks said something profoundly simple and undeniably true. They simply said, “You have had all week for yourself, this is one hour that you give back to God.”
Well, I couldn’t argue with the math! I truly had many hours of free time doing what I wanted to do, and just one hour to give back to God was certainly a fair request.
However, that request had another impact. I slowly began to see Mass not as an event where I received something, but more a meaningful event where I gave something of myself to God. Maybe the sermon was bad or the music uninspiring …but I still had my own job to do, which was to give my prayers and time to God. I no longer looked at Mass in the old way of what it did for me, but what I would do for God.
I slowly saw the Mass as an event where I am actively connecting and talking with God, independent of the talents of the Priest, musicians, or other parishioners. Well, that began a journey that eventually led me to priesthood itself.
My slow realization parallels the journey of the man born blind in today’s Gospel. He slowly comes to realize who Jesus is, and it matches the slow opening of his eyes to finally see clearly what his life is about. He has received much and now he begins to share the good news about Jesus. The Pharisees (those who should see) are the ones who remain blind.
Soon, on Holy Saturday, Churches around the world will welcome into the Catholic faith many thousands of people who have journeyed months discovering God’s plan for their lives. Their eyes have been opened. Let us make sure ours are as well, and discover the many ways we can offer our lives back to God.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Your commentary reminds me of the early days of my marriage. It was a “mixed” marriage; I was a Presbyterian. I knew I was required to accompany my spouse to Mass–an obligation which to me was a chore. My friend told me that he had the same problem. He said that he finally decided it was worth going to hear the beautiful music. That opened a door for me which finally put me on the road to appreciate the Catholic Church and her rites.
Wow! Thanks for sharing, Wes! Didn’t you the background. You and Margaret have been such generous treasures to the St. Paschals community for decades, and of course, generations. Thank you for all you’ve both done and continue to do for all of us!
*Didn’t KNOW the background
Thanks Fr Dave! Going to mass everyday makes my day and happiness overflows . Even when we have trials in life, I get the strength to go on because I know that these trials will turn into blessings in His time.
Well said!
“Music charmed the savage beast!” Just kidding, but I am glad it worked!
I used to love to go to church & it’s been about 8 months since I permanently went back. I even attended mass when a lot of my family & friends did not during the child abuse issues telling myself, even though I felt those crimes to be abhorrent, not to judge because not all priests were bad. Today, the church is no longer the church I used to know and love. Every time I go to mass parishioners are always being asked for money. I have no money and feel very uncomfortable during the mass when we have to listen to all these requests for money all the time. I’ve attended various Catholic churches & it’s the same everywhere I go. It feels to me that money and the needs of the church are much more important than people are these days. I don’t go to church to be asked for money all the time but to hear God’s message & that’s no longer happening.
I would like my comment to be deleted please. Thank you.
I completely agree with you. I am sorry to hear that the church you attend is always asking for money. I wish that you were hearing more about the scriptures and how to deepen your faith. Since it has become a regular feature at your parish, perhaps you can just ignore those messages, and just concentrate on the prayers of the Mass, especially the consecration. Those prayers are exactly the same in every parish, and, after all, are the most important part of all.
thanks Father Dave for y our timely remarks. Thank you, too, for the splendid presentations at St. Peter Claver’s and San Buenaventura Mission, both of which were greatly appreciated.
Benedicamus Domino, Madeleine Sorensen
You are very welcome!
Hi Father Dave,
You’ve shared a beautiful story. Thank you.
In a way, it reminds me of the time when one of our grandsons was visiting. He was around four or five years old. On Sunday morning, I told him to get ready for Mass. Without hesitation, he replied, “I went to Mass once, and I don’t have to go again!” Needless to say, we went to Mass.
God bless….
Great story! I am sure it made perfect sense to that five year old. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for always making it real and putting it into human perspective for us, Fr. Dave!
^^^Dittos to Margie’s comment^^^
Wes, thanks for your testimony. You and your wife have always been a beautiful example to all and it was wonderful to hear the background.
Thanks also Fr. Dave for your testimony. I remember when I came back to the Catholic Church after studying the Old Testament in Bible Collage during Mass I could see the coming together of the Old and new in the Mass. I am more in love with the Mass than ever before. There is so much meaning in what is going on. Thanks again for your sharing.
You are very welcome!
You are welcome!
I believe the music from the 10:45 choir was usually inspiring. Thank you for not micromanaging our music.
We do think that we pray twice when we sing.
Hope you enjoy the music ministry at St. Bruno.
Della and Gino Spinelli
I miss hearing the 10:45 Choir at St. Paschal’s for sure, but I am glad to say that the music at St. Bruno is excellent. I am, again, a very lucky pastor!
I will remember this post, Father Dave, when my kids and grand kids say they don’t get anything out of Mass and that it is boring. It reminds me of the adage, “It is in giving that we receive”. When we give that hour to God with love and devotion, we receive so much more back. Thank you for your insights.
Feel free to use the story whenever needed!
Do we really see Jesus when He passes by, or are we too busy about other things?
The same Jesus who passed by the blind man is alive today. The good news is that no
matter what happened in the past, Jesus walks into the dusty streets of our lives every day.
We simply need the eyes of faith to see Him, and a renewed heart to follow Him.
“Lord, that I may see”
Well said!
Father Dave, Your way of expressing the beauty of our Faith is so touching!!!We all are like budding roses unfolding into full beautiful, exquisite roses of love and joy through priests like you revealing the preciousness of our Faith to us!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!Dick and I love attending Mass and especially receiving our precious Jesus in Holy Communion!!! Love becoming one with Him and sharing Jesus with others!!! We are soooooooooooooooo blessed!! There is nooooooooooooooooooo other Faith like ours!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!
Loveee you!!
Loveeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
God also gave me a beautiful experience of seeing light. I grew up in the Buddhist back ground. Year 1995, I converted to be Catholic at the age of 26. This was a process of eye opening. God first opened my physical eyes to look at Him on the Cross and questioned. Then He opened the eyes of my mind and heart to learn about Him, to know Him, and to feel His love for me. God led me on this journey and gave me double callings to become His child and to dedicate my entire life to Him in Religious Life after 4 months receiving Baptism. I truly admire those who were born Catholic from their mothers’ wombs. Yet I also treasure the blessings that God has bestowed upon my life as a neophyte. Daily Mass is part of my life agenda. I love the Mass no matter what even though there were times I fall asleep during Mass.
Thank you Father Dave for helping me to have a good reflection and more appreciation for the gifts of my Catholicism and my Religious Life!
Thank you for your message. It is a great message of faith. I remember years ago I was at a Mass in Tijuana, Mexico, where Mother Teresa was in the front row. She had just flown in from India. Jet lag got the best of her, and she nodded off and on through much of the Mass. She was so natural about it and did not seem concerned. Holiness is naturalness, and she was inspiring in that way.
A beautiful reflection from a beautiful man of God.
I am honored by your comment. Thank you.