The first reading from the Ascension this past Thursday came from chapter one of the Acts of the Apostles. The apostles have just seen an incredible sight. Jesus has just gone up into the sky out of their sight. This is a pretty spectacular thing. There wasn't a helicopter or plane or glider. I think any of us would be so filled with awe at what we had just seen that we would probably be standing there for a few moments just looking up at the sky trying to comprehend what we have just seen. This trance is interupted by the two angels who in verse 11 call out to them: "why are you standing there looking up into the sky?"
In the account of the finding of the empty tomb in Luke's gospel, the angel greets the women with a similar question, "why do you seek the living among the dead?". If more of the conversation was recorded we may hear the angels use the line, "Why are you still here?". There is an urgency in the proclamation of the gospel, and this proclamation has been entrusted to all of us. We as Christians are called to make the Lord's love and presence known to all people. They are to meet the risen Christ in their interactions with us.
Scouting seeks to help youth to identify the leadership skills they possess and to build up others so that they will be responsible and productive citizens in our world. These skills are needed to build up the kingdom of God as well. These skills need to be put to use now. Scouts have the ability to bring the gospel to their peers and communities in ways that adults cannot. The Catholic Committee on Scouting attempts to assist scouts in applying what they learn in scouting to practical use in terms of faith. For this to work, scouts need to take the initiative and use the resources being made available to them. The committee does not do the work, it seeks to enable scouts to use the skills they have acquired and are learning.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Chosen
Today is the feast of St. Mathias, the one chosen by the Apostles to replace Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus. Read the account of how Mathias was chosen:
So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas,who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.Then they prayed,"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,show which one of these two you have chosento take the place in this apostolic ministryfrom which Judas turned away to go to his own place."Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. (Acts 1:23-26)
How much things have changed! I spent five years in the seminary before I was ordained, Mathias just had to win the lottery!
While the process has changed quite a bit, the reality hasn't: Jesus has chosen us to a specific service. Each of us, whether we are called to be a priest, religious, married person, single person are needed and wanted by the Lord. He has chosen us to help build up the kingdom of God in a way that only we can.
Scouting is a way that we come to realize that we have been called and have special gifts and talents that can be put to use, not only to make the world a better place, but to make God's love known to others. That is why the Church has a long history of utilizing scouting in her overall ministry to youth and why so many dedicated people work to make religious emblems, activities and prayer opportunities available to our young scouts. It is why we also need to provide opportunities for our adult scouters to grow in faith as well.
Peace,
Fr. David
So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas,who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.Then they prayed,"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,show which one of these two you have chosento take the place in this apostolic ministryfrom which Judas turned away to go to his own place."Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. (Acts 1:23-26)
How much things have changed! I spent five years in the seminary before I was ordained, Mathias just had to win the lottery!
While the process has changed quite a bit, the reality hasn't: Jesus has chosen us to a specific service. Each of us, whether we are called to be a priest, religious, married person, single person are needed and wanted by the Lord. He has chosen us to help build up the kingdom of God in a way that only we can.
Scouting is a way that we come to realize that we have been called and have special gifts and talents that can be put to use, not only to make the world a better place, but to make God's love known to others. That is why the Church has a long history of utilizing scouting in her overall ministry to youth and why so many dedicated people work to make religious emblems, activities and prayer opportunities available to our young scouts. It is why we also need to provide opportunities for our adult scouters to grow in faith as well.
Peace,
Fr. David
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