24th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Quit playing games with God

 

There is a famous book on human psychology, published back in the 1960s called Games People Play.  The book isn’t talking about board games like monopoly or trivial pursuit, or children’s games like hop-scotch or kick the can.  The book explains the often selfish and manipulative "games" adults play with each other in their interpersonal relationships. Think of a boss who throws tantrums in order to get his employees to do his bidding, or a beautiful woman using her physical attributes to get what she wants. 

We even play games with ourselves: the little lies we tell ourselves in order to justify certain behavior.  “I’m so stressed, I deserve to eat an entire carton of cookie dough ice cream. Or, I had such a hard day, I deserve to have six whiskies.” Or think of the way we point out people’s flaws so we can justify not associating with them, or helping them.  

In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about playing games with God.  He describes the behavior of his generation, as a bunch of children playing games in the street instead of taking the word of God seriously. Instead of heading the preaching of John the Baptist, they claim he is possessed by a demon. Instead of heading the preaching of Jesus, they claim he is a drunkard and a glutton. They create a lie about Jesus, and then believe that lie so they don’t have to change their behavior. 

In our own time, we often find ourselves playing these same games with God. We might rationalize our actions or decisions by telling ourselves, "God will understand," or "It’s not that big of a deal." We make excuses to avoid confronting the hard truths about our lives, our relationships, and our spiritual commitments. Just like the people in the Gospel, we create distractions or false narratives to justify staying in our comfort zones, rather than embracing the call to conversion and growth.

But what if we stopped playing these games? What if we approached our relationship with God and our fellow human beings with honesty, vulnerability, and genuine openness? Jesus calls us to a life of authenticity, where we no longer hide behind excuses or manipulate others for our own gain. To drop the games, the masks, and the excuses, and to encounter Him with open hearts. He invites us to face the truth about ourselves, even when it's uncomfortable, and to grow in genuine love and compassion.

Remember, God sees through our games and loves us anyway. He longs for us to come to Him as we truly are, with all our flaws and struggles. In doing so, we open ourselves to His transforming grace and find the deep peace and joy that come from living in truth and love.

Only when we stop making excuses and face the truth of the Gospel can we experience the fullness of the life God desires for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may be a community of authenticity and truth, rejecting manipulation and embracing genuine love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may set aside political games and work honestly for the good of all people. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling with addiction or unhealthy behaviors, that they may find the strength to face their challenges without excuses. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may grow in honesty and vulnerability in our relationships with God and one another. Let us pray to the Lord.

That the sick and the poor may know the compassion and charity of the Church and the closeness of God in their afflictions.

For those who have died, that they may be welcomed into the fullness of God's truth and love in eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, hear our petitions. Grant us what we truly need to pierce through the hardness of our hearts, so that we may live in the fullness of the life of Christ. Through the same Christ our Lord. 

2nd Week of Advent 2023 - Friday - Games people play

There is a famous book on human psychology published back in the 1960s called “Games People Play.”  The book isn’t talking about board games like monopoly or trivial pursuit, or children’s games like hop-scotch or kick the can.  The book explains the often selfish and manipulative "games" adults play with each other in their interpersonal relationships. Think of a boss who throws tantrums in order to get his employees to do his bidding, or a beautiful woman using her voluptuousness to get what she wants.

We even play games with ourselves—little lies we tell ourselves in order to justify certain behavior:  “I’m so stressed, I deserve to eat an entire carton of cookie dough ice cream. Or, I had such a hard day, I deserve to have six whiskies.” We dismiss what is wise in exchange for the foolish games because foolishness provides more immediate gratification--certainly a characteristic of our fallen nature.

In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about playing games with God.  He describes the behavior of his generation as a bunch of children playing games in the street instead of taking the word of God seriously; they are foolishly parading through life, mocking Christ’s message instead of heeding the message, seeking to understand Christ’s wisdom.

In our own day, many have turned Advent and Christmas into just another game, just another form of entertainment. The music, the lights, the gifts, and the parties are part of an annual parade for our enjoyment. 

Rather, the Church’s observance of Advent invites the worldly—the game players—to a deeper understanding and experience of God. There is more to Christmas than Christmas-flavored gratification and trying to trigger childlike-wonder through nostalgia. Advent echoes the call of the Gospel to something more than what the world offers—more than all of those social games we play in order to feel better about ourselves. Advent is the call to turn away from all of those things in order to encounter God. 

But this is not simply an invitation to the non-believer. Christians too do well to examine the games we play with God, our neighbor, and ourselves. What lies do I tell myself in order not to pray as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in order to indulge in sinful behavior? What lies do I tell myself in order not to serve the mission of the Church as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in order not to reach out to the estranged and the lonely?

Advent involves the call to deeper conversion for all people. May the Holy Spirit lead us to the change of heart, the change of attitude, the change of behavior God wants for us, that conforming our lives to Christ, we may bear his truth and love to all the word, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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As we await with longing the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, we raise up our prayers of petitions.

That Christ may visit his holy Church and always find her repentant of sin and watchful in prayer.

That Christ may fill the Pope, our Bishop, and all the clergy with spiritual gifts and graces.

That Christ may guide the minds of those who govern us to promote the common good according to His Holy Will.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

2nd Week of Advent 2021 - Friday - "Wisdom is vindicated by her works"

 Throughout the Gospels, we see many different responses to the Lord and his call to conversion. Some, like the Apostles, drop everything they are doing to follow Jesus—they put their earthly business on hold, even walking away from it entirely, in order to follow Jesus. Some, fall at his feet to be healed by him, some climb trees to see him, some go to extreme lengths to bring others to him, like the men who lower their friend through the roof to get near him.

And then some, we know question him, try to trap him in logical arguments, and try to prove him wrong, to be a fool or liar or a madman. Some, of course, will seek to silence him and conspire against him to put him to death, as they know that his truth is a threat to their worldly power. In the Gospel today, we hear how some called him a drunkard and a glutton, seeking to discredit him.

Jesus lamented the hardness of heart he encountered in his ministry. When people do not want to listen to the truth, they will easily enough find an excuse for not heading it. They often don’t even attempt to be logically consistent in their criticisms. Instead of looking for reasons to believe, they’ll look for any reason not to believe.

“But wisdom is vindicated by her works” the Lord says in the Gospel. The hard-hearted, spoiled, cantankerous, illogical criticism of the unrepentant and faithless is proven wrong by the goodness of Jesus and how that goodness fills the lives of his holy ones.

In the end, there will be those who refuse to see the boundless goodness of the saints: they refuse to see the selfless generosity of mother Theresa, st. francis, the profound wisdom of Thomas Aquinas, st. Augustine, st. francis de sales, the profound courage of st. Thomas more. The wisdom of Christ shines brightly in the lives of his holy ones. 

The season of Advent is an opportunity for us to burn brightly with the wisdom of christ, to show forth acts of goodness and righteousness and courageous and self-less generosity to those who will not be convinced by logical arguments. Concrete acts of mercy have a way of piercing through pride and hard-heartedness. So, Advent stirs up a sort of holiness in us that can be seen by the lost and despairing. We are to become like the lights of the advent wreath, burning quietly, but shining with the light of Christ’s goodness and love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

That the Holy Father, all bishops and priests, religious and laity may shine with the Light of Christ’s love for the lost and despairing.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

For those who have fallen away from the Church, who have become separated from God through error and sin, for those who reject the teachings of Christ, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

That our young people will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or illness: may they experience the healing graces of Christ. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

December 13 2019 - St. Lucy - Quit playing games with God

There is a famous book on human psychology, published back in the 1960s called Games People Play.  The book isn’t talking about board games like monopoly or trivial pursuit, or children’s games like hop-scotch or kick the can.  The book explains the often selfish and manipulative "games" adults play with each other in their interpersonal relationships. Think of a boss who throws tantrums in order to get his employees to do his bidding, or a beautiful woman using her physical attributes to get what she wants.

We even play games with ourselves: the little lies we tell ourselves in order to justify certain behavior.  “I’m so stressed, I deserve to eat an entire carton of cookie dough ice cream. Or, I had such a hard day, I deserve to have six whiskies.” Or think of the way we point out people’s flaws so we can justify not associating with them, or helping them. 

In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about playing games with God.  He describes the behavior of his generation, as a bunch of children playing games in the street instead of taking the word of God seriously. Instead of heading the preaching of John the Baptist, they claim he is possessed by a demon. Instead of heading the preaching of Jesus, they claim he is a drunkard and a glutton. They create a lie about Jesus, and then believe that lie so they don’t have to change their behavior.

The Advent call to conversion certainly demands we examine the games we play with God and with one another.  What lies do I tell myself in order not to pray as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in order to indulge in sinful behavior? What lies do I tell myself in order not to reach out to the estranged and the lonely? What lies do I tell myself in order not to serve my parish?

The Saints, like St. Lucy, who we honor today, are those who strive to quit playing games with God. They seek the holiness God wants for them, no matter what. No games—just complete surrender to God.

After witnessing the miraculous cure of her mother, Lucy consecrated herself to Christ. Consecrated virginity was a counter-cultural sign in Ancient Rome, which had state sanctioned brothels and prostitution. Her consecration as a virgin enraged a potential suitor who accused her as a Christian before the Roman judge during the persecution of Diocletian.  The judge ordered her to offer a pagan sacrifice to the emperor, Lucy courageously refused. She war tortured, and her eyes were cut out. God however restored her eyes through a miracle, and for this she is known as the patron saint of the blind and eye disorders.

But more importantly, St. Lucy reminds us to see and to seek what is most important in life, that fervent love for Christ may pierce through our self-deceptions and lead us to stop playing games with God, but to witness to his Gospel with our whole lives.

May the Holy Spirit lead us to the change of heart, the change of attitude, the change of behavior God wants for us this Advent, that conforming our lives to Christ, we may bear his truth and love to all the word, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petition, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.
That Advent repentance and devotion may prepare us rightly for Christmas joy.
That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  We pray to the Lord.
For the conversion of those who reject Jesus and His Church, those who have fallen into serious sin, and those who have fallen away from the Church.
Through the intercession of St. Lucy, we pray for all those who suffer blindness and eye disorders, and for safety from accidental loss of vision, and for all of the sick and suffering.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Almighty ever-living God, who brings salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.