“Men call me Cecilia, but my most beautiful name is that of Christian” St. Cecilia (180-230)

Our human birth was a gift from God. But a greater gift was our re-birth in the waters of Baptism. When we were born, we were a child of our parents. When we are re-born, we become the adopted son or daughter of our God and Father. When we were born and registered, we became the citizen of a nation. When we were baptized, we became a Christian, a citizen of the Kingdom of God. In each of these instances, the latter is the more important in fact. But do we realize that? Do we celebrated what God has done and is doing in our life more than what our parents and others have done?

Hail, holy throne of God,
divine sanctuary, house of glory,
jewel most fair, chosen treasure house
and mercy seat for the whole world,
heaven showing forth the glory of God

Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God
and raised above all human condition,
virgin soil, unploughed field, flourishing vine,
fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child,
mother without knowing man,
hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity,
by your most acceptable prayers,
strong with the authority of motherhood,
to our Lord and God, Creator of all,
your Son, Who was born of you without a father,
steer the ship of the Church
and bring it to a quiet harbor.” St. Germanus (378-448)

Words are inadequate when it comes to reflecting on Mary’s role in the History of Salvation. God through the Archangel Gabriel gave her the highest compliment, when he said: “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28) Mary herself proclaimed: “Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.^” (Luke 1:48-49) Because of who God was in her life, Mary wanted early on in her life to be dedicated to the Lord, without knowing what God had in store for her as the Mother of the Savor. Can we dedicate ourselves to God without knowing what God’s plans are for us?

 “When you have been insulted, cursed, or persecuted by someone, do not think of what has happened to you, but of what will come from it, and you will see that your insulter has become the cause of many benefits to you, not only in this age, but in that which is to come” St. Mark the Ascetic (360-430)

Our normal human tendency is to retaliate in kind. In this way we are following the Law of sin within us. But what does our life in the Spirit tells us?  “But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.^” (Luke 6:27-28) We cannot break the chain of evil, if we do evil. Even though in the moment we did not deserve the mistreatment, for our many sins, we deserve far worse treatment. It is better to suffer in this life than in the next. Enduring these sufferings patiently and silently will prove who is the person in relationship to Christ, who so suffered for our sake.

 Homily Solemnity of Christ the King Year B

Reading 1: Daniel in a vision sees what is to take place centuries after him. In effect, Daniel sees One like the Son of Man ascending to the Ancient One, where he receives in his glorified humanity glory, dominion and kingship.  Jesus is the Son of Man and the Ancient One is the Father. This prophetic vision was fulfilled in the person of Jesus at the time of his Ascension to the Father.

Paul attested to this fact of revelation in his Letter to the Philippians where he says: “God raised the Son up and exalted him at his right hand and gave a name above all other names—at this name every knee shall bend on earth, in the heavens and under the earth acclaiming Jesus as Lord to the glory of the Father.”

Daniel prophesied that the Son of Man received dominion, glory and kingship and all peoples served him. What does this indicate? It says that Jesus’s kingship is 1) supreme, extending to all peoples. It is a 2) universal kingship, covering all nations and places. Finally, 3) it is an eternal kingship, lasting forever.

At the time, Daniel does not know the full ramifications of his vision. But when Jesus was questioned by the Sanhedrin during his trial, he predicted that the Son of Man will be seen coming upon the clouds. 

Reading 2: The reading from the Book of Revelation picks this theme up. “Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and ever eye will see him, even those who pierced him.” This connects us to last Sunday’s reading, namely that Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Jesus, the God/Man is king because of his death on the cross by which he freed us from our sins by his blood. He is the “faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

To him belongs the glory and power because of who he is and what he has done. He not only created us but, when we chose to alienate ourselves through sin, he chose to give his life for our redemption from the kingdom of death.

Gospel: The Jewish leaders tried to juxtaposition Jesus in opposition to the Roman Emperor. Their desire to have Jesus put to death was so intense that they were willing to align themselves with Caesar, which was contrary to their deepest beliefs. This prompted Pilate to ask Jesus

about his kingdom. “Are you a king?” Jesus emphasized that his kingdom was a spiritual kingdom, not limited to time and space. 

Pilate missed the point. The fact is Jesus is Lord and King, not because we made him so, but because he is by virtue of his role as God and Savior.

The question for us to answer is this. Is Jesus our Lord and King? Do we not only say this but live it as fully as possible. Even though the Jewish leaders said that Caesar was their king, they were giving lip service. Is ours lip service or do we consciously submit ourselves and everything we have to the Lord. He is the Lord of my life, all I am and all I have. 

Jesus is the Lord of my life because he created me in his own image and likeness and sustains me every second of my life. I belong to him by virtue of my creation. Jesus is the Lord of my life because I came into life alienated from God because of Original sin and to which I added my personal sins as well. Jesus redeemed me by his death on the cross. I belong to him. He is Lord of my life because he has adopted me as his son or daughter, sharing his own divine life with me. 

Even though all this is factually true, I may still not acknowledge and accept him as such; I still may not surrender my life into his hands as my Lord and King. I may still be seeking to have full control, not trusting him. To this extent we can give him lip service on this day but withhold our heart, mind and will from him. Or I can embrace the mystery of his love and plan for me, giving him glory and honor, praise and love now in preparation for what awaits me in glory with him.

 "A fish that is alive swims against the flow of water. One that is dead floats down with the water. A true Christian goes against the current of sinful age. A false one is swept away by its swiftness." St. Philaret of Moscow (1782-1867)

Jesus said that either we are with him or against him. There is no middle ground. Either we put our faith and trust in him and his word or we put our faith and trust in something other. Many people over the centuries have given their lives rather than compromise their faith. They may not be remembered on earth today, but they are honored and remembered in eternity, where it counts. It is not easy to go against the current of today's culture. In fact, it is very risky. But the consequences are eternal. Like Joshua, we need to proclaim without qualification: "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Let your faith be a light dispelling the darkness.

 “The more I reflect on the graces I have received, the more they astonish me and make me tremble.”  St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852)

When was the last time you reflected on the graces you have received in your life-span so far? It is easy for us to complain about the struggles we have had. But what are these in reference to the many more graces we have been given by God out of love? Let’s begin with the grace of salvation and the subsequent graces of sharing in God’s own Divine Life, all through no merits of our own. Then to these add the graces of reconciliation for the many sins we have committed ungrateful to the gift of salvation. As we keep going, there will be no end to our list. Maybe we need to do this regularly to keep the ledger of our life more accurate.

 "He took over anger to intimidate subordinates, and in time anger took over him." St. Albert the Great (1200-1280)

Once we give way to the vice of anger, it has a way of consuming us and poisoning us. How often King Saul gave vent to his anger against David, because of fear and jealousy! Saul wanted to control the narrative, written by God. He used his anger to do this. He even turned against his own son in anger. A life of uncontrolled anger is destructive to others and to self. It drains the joy of life, the peace of the soul, and one’s relationship with God. It spawns hatred and retaliation, paranoia and isolation. What is the antidote to anger? Repentance and reconciliation. Forgiveness and letting the past go. Right relationship with God is more important than personal feelings and self-justification.  Heed the words of the Psalm: “Refrain from anger; abandon wrath; do not be provoked; it brings only harm.” Psalm 37:8)

 “There is One very near you who knocks at your door every hour of the day, who begs you to listen to Him and to keep silence… in order to hear Him.” St. Just Bretenieres (1838-1866)

We are better in speaking than listening, at times, especially when it comes to listening in silence to the Lord. Prayer is both speaking and listening. Sometimes our prayer is one sided, namely speaking. To be still and silently wait upon the Lord, if he chooses to share with us, is an important part of our relationship with God. Whether he speaks or not in the silence of our heart is not the issue. Our silence in listening is acknowledging that he is Lord and God. We are his. He is God and we are not. Be still and know that he is God and, like the prophet Elijah, we may hear God in the quiet whisper of the stillness of our heart and voice.

Homily: Thirty-third Sunday Year B

Reading 1: There has always been an interest in the end times. The Old Testament reading from the Book of Daniel written over 2000 years ago reflects on that very question. The prophet Daniel is in exile. He was pondering on how long the exile from Jerusalem would continue. In a vision he is given insight into God’s plan. It is important that one’s name is found written in the Book of life.  

Both the just and the wicked will die; both will rise from the dead. There are two destinations for all human beings. 1. Those who will live forever in the glory of God. 2. Those who will suffer forever in everlasting horror and disgrace. One is heaven; the other is hell. Who are those who will live forever in glory with God? The wise—those who heard the word of God and acted on it; those who led many to justice or the truth or to the truth of God’s Word.

What is the question for us? Is heaven or hell a reality for us, even though it is a reality in fact? What wise decisions are we making to be judged worthy by God’s grace and mercy to share in his glory forever? Are we leading others to the truth of God’s word?

Reading 2: The author of Hebrews shows the difference between the priests of the Old Testament and Jesus, the High Priest of the New Testament. The former offered sacrifice to God but their sacrifice did not take away sins. Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice of himself once and sins have been forgiven. Today, we participate in Jesus’ one sacrifice in thanksgiving and praise to God.

What is the connection with the first reading? We can’t earn heaven, but we can earn hell. It was the offering of Jesus, who gave his life as a sacrifice once for all, that has forgiven all sins and reconciled us to God and to one another.

For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who have been consecrated. It is only because of his sacrifice that we can respond to his gift of eternal life or reject the gift of eternal life. The choice between heaven and hell.

Gospel: Jesus speaks of an end time, but says only God knows when and how it will happen. Our focus is not to be the end time of all things as we know them, but a specific end time: the time when death will come to me. It is then that I must face the final consequences of my relation or non-relationship with God.

We are called to be wise as we read the signs of the times, namely, human beings die every day, some suddenly; some after lengthy illness. But death is inevitable. Knowing this we need always to be prepared, not out of fear or anxiety but out of knowing that I have been given the grace of salvation in Baptism, the forgiveness of my sins, the food of eternal life. I have heard the truth of justice, the Word of God. What have I done in response to the countless blessings of God, beginning with Jesus’ death on the cross, his promises and gifts?

Even though I know that death is certain, the time is not. Even though I know that death is final and life after death follows, am I living in a way that I will be with God in glory or living in a way that I will experience, because of my choices, the everlasting horror and disgrace?

Let the hearing of this sacred revelation today become a reality check for us. If I died tonight, what will my eternity be: life with God or life alienated from God?

 “If you are in danger, if your hearts are confused, turn to Mary; she is our comfort, our help; turn towards her and you will be saved.” St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

Mary saves us by bringing us to her Son, who is the Savior of the world. Her words to us when we go to her in our needs are the words she spoke to the servants at the Wedding of Cana: “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5). Jesus entrusted us to the care of his mother, knowing her motherly heart, is always directed to doing the will of the Father. The will of the Father is our salvation through his Son’s death and resurrection. This in turn is the desire of Mary.

 Thirty-Third Sunday Gospel B

· As we come to the end of the Liturgical Year, the Church begins to reflect on the end-times statements of Jesus in the Gospel, of which this is one.

Jesus said: "But in those days after that tribulation

· Before this Jesus mentioned things pertaining to earthly events such as wars, earthquakes, famines. Now he mentions cosmic events.

the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 

· Much of what Jesus is referring to is found referenced in the Old Testament in the writings of the prophets: Is 13:10;34:4; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15.

And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather (his) elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

· What is your feeling when you read this? Humanly, it may be of fear. But what do you think Jesus’ intention is for us when we hear this and other similar statements?

· The real key is whether we will be among the elect or not?

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 

· What is the message Jesus wants us to hear and act on? Live in the present moment as if it was your last. Always be ready, not in fear, but in true relationship with God. Is this your attitude?

Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 

· This last statement is very key. No matter how often people try to read the “signs” of the time and predict the future, especially the end of the world, only the Father, Son, and Spirit know as God. Jesus is saying that in his humanity he does not have this knowledge. At the moment he is speaking from his humanity, not out of his divinity.

· How should this whole passage impact your life today?

 “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” St Josaphat Kuncewicz (1584-1623)

This was a favorite prayer of St. Josaphat. It originated during the Desert Fathers’ period of the third century. It is biblically based. The prayer contains the words of the Tax collector in the Temple and the prayer of the blind man, asking to be healed. The short prayer is a proclamation of faith in the person of Jesus as Lord, Christ and Son of God. At the same time, it is an admission of one’s sinfulness and need of God’s mercy. As a short ejaculation, it praises God for who he is and petitions God for his grace of mercy.  Like any other prayer, it is not magical. But prayed sincerely, it is effective, especially in times of temptations.

 “With the sign of the Cross, I shall more certainly break through the ranks of the enemy than if armed with shield and sword." St. Martin of Tours (+397)

The sign of the Cross is the sign of Christ’s victory over the power of sin and death. It is the sword that pierced and defeated Satan. For those who have faith in Jesus, it is the sign we cover ourselves with, the sign we wear in faith, the sign we stand behind as our shield in the time of battles with the power of darkness. It is not a jewelry, it is not a good luck charm, it is not a magical wand. We were signed with it when we were baptized. Hopefully, we will be signed with it when we die. It stands as a constant reminder of God’s ultimate love for us and our commitment in faith to him, as Lord. Wear it proudly, use it wisely and stand by it faithfully.

 “During painful times, when you feel a terrible void, think how the capacity of your soul is being enlarged so that it can receive God- becoming as it were, infinite as God is infinite.” St Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906)

What is one of the greatest void in the spiritual journey? The Dark Night Of the soul. God seems distant and we have a sense of his absence, even though in truth, he is never absent. Jesus experienced this on the cross. His cry, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me” was not a cry of despair, but of experiencing the reality of sin. This grace moment is a way for God to strip us of everything, so that we can experience the greatest of all good, himself, in a new way. In those moments of darkness, cry out to God, as Jesus did, but also trust in his mercy and love, as Jesus did.

 “All is too little for the Lord.” St. Agostina Pietrantoni (1864-1894)

In a short but precise statement, she captures Salvation History and our response. We cannot begin to take in all that God has done for humanity in general and us in particular. He created all things out of nothing and sustains all things in existence. He willed to share his Divine Life with one of his creation, whom he formed in his own image and likeness. When human beings failed the test of love and obedience, He promised a Savior, himself, to restore us to our inheritance by the sacrifice of his life. He has showered grace upon grace upon us, none of which was deserved. This barely covers what he has done for us. What does he ask in return? Love, so that we can be fulfilled. Nothing I can do or give can adequately begin to equate what he has and is still doing. But the little I have and can do, I will give to God in gratitude and praise out of love.

 “I have never gone to sleep with a grievance against anyone, and, as far as I could, I have never let anyone go to sleep with a grievance against me.” St. Agatho

Is this not a sure way to live and sleep in peace? He was probably aware of St. Paul’s admonition. “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil.”  (Ephesians 4:26-27) Things will happen and we will react in a negative way. That is the Law of sin within us. What we do can be the Law of grace. Forgive and ask forgiveness, then let it go. Otherwise, a foothold is given to the devil to keep the wound infected. If your eternal salvation is at stake, is holding on to the grievance worth it?  Without forgiveness, it is at stake. Your self-righteousness is not worth it.

 Homily: Thirty-second Sunday Year B

Reading 1: Elijah has prophesied that God would cause a drought over Israel for three years. He is led by the Spirit to Zarephath to provide for him during the drought. There he has a diving encounter. By God’s providence he encounters a widow with a son. She is in a desperate situation and he is in need. He is thirsty and hungry. She and her son are also hungry, about to eat their last meal before the oil and flour run out.

Elijah asks her first for a cup of water and also for something to eat. The widow responds in truth. She has enough to feed herself and her son one last meal. Then Elijah speaks a word of prophesy. “If you make me a cake first, then the oil and flour will not diminish until the drought is over.” As a desperate women, concerned about her son, she could easily have ignored these words. She didn’t know this person.  However, the grace of God moved her to do what Elijah had said to her. She trusted the word of the Lord to her. As a result, for over a year the prophetic word was fulfilled.

It is easy to trust in God in good times; it is harder to do so in difficult times. To believe on the word of God and to act upon it is an act of faith. God said to Elijah that he would provide for him and he did. God said he would provide for the widow and her son and he did. The miracle was not the providence of God, as much as that was a miracle. The miracle was the trust that Elijah and the widow put in the word of God and acted on it. To what extent do we truly trust in God for everything. We are called to hear his word, to act on it and to totally depend upon God.

Gospel: The widow in the Gospel connects us to the widow in the first reading. The focus of the parable in action is the contrast between the widow and the others making their offerings in the Temple. Like the widow in the first reading, she gave everything, trusting in the providential care of God. On the other hand, the crowd gave from their surplus out of obligation to the law of tithe. But what they gave did not make them any more dependent on God.

The trust of the widow is the trust God is looking for from each of us, not that we give everything as much as we in our giving, show a trust and dependency upon God, who has provided for us to have what we have.  Though in actual value, what she gave in comparison to the others was nothing. But in the eyes of God she gave more out of a generous and dependent heart. She gave her tithe to God first, trusting in God’s providential care for her

How dependent are we on the Lord? Do we give to him first or afterwards? Is God the recognized and acknowledged source of all that we have?

Reading 2: This reading gives us the ultimate reason we have in trusting God. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, not only have our sins been forgiven, but we also share in God’s divine life and in eternal salvation. Jesus’ one offering of himself on the cross for my sake out of love and in total surrender to the will of the Father, has given our life it’s true meaning. Jesus gave his all for us, holding nothing back

The completion of that grace of salvation will only be experienced by those, who eagerly await him. We are saved but our salvation doesn’t come to perfection until we respond to Jesus and are sharing in his divine life at the moment of his coming.

 “Your love is Singular when all your delight is in Jesus Christ, and you find joy and comfort in no other thing.” Blessed Richard Rolle (1300-1349)

It is not that God needs us to love him. He is love. His love of its very nature is Other between the Triune Persons. This love is also other outside of the Trinity. When God commands us to love him, it is for our sake not his. Since love is perfect within the Trinity, so love will be our ultimate perfection and fulfillment. This is a mystery that will not be fully understood and appreciated until love is perfected in us. Our identity is an adopted child of God. Our purpose is to be with God eternally in glory. Our perfection achieving this through grace is love. Learn how to love God and you will be perfected.

 “Just as Christ came into this world only once, clothed in our flesh, He is also ready to come again, at any moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts with the profusion of His graces, as long as we do not resist Him.” St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)  

How do we resist him? By choosing sin over him. By not following his commandments. By not doing the will of the Father. By not forgiving. By being lukewarm in our relationship. By not having him as Lord of our life. The grace of God is like the sun, beaming brightly on all that are open. Our resistance is like being in an enclosure with only a small opening for the sun’s ray to enter. We resist to our detriment. Yet, unfortunately, we choose sin over grace.

 “Lord, let happen whatever You will; and as You will, so will I walk, help me only to know Your will! Lord, whenever You will, then is the time, today and always, Lord, whatever You will, I wish to accept, and whatever You will for me is gain, enough that I belong to You. Lord, because You will it, it is right, and because You will it, I have courage. My heart rests safely in Your hands!” Blessed Rupert Mayer (1876-1945)

This is the attitude of a true and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Do we not pray in the Our Father, “Thy will be done”? To pray it is also to live it in our daily life. Jesus said. “Not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Mary gave and lived her “fiat”. Jesus held up the measure of a disciple to be doing the will of the Father.  Only one who has truly fallen in love with the person of Jesus Christ and through him with the Father and the Spirit can live this commitment. Love is the only thing that makes doing the will of God possible. Once this love is the foundation of one’s life, then nothing else matters.

Homily Thirty-first Sunday Year B

Reading 1: When we talk about our relationship to God, what words best express that reality? Fear and Love: two seemingly strong opposites. We began our reading with the words, Fear the Lord and then we heard, Love the Lord.  Scripture speaks of fear of the Lord as the beginning of one’s relationship to God and love as the end of that relationship. But it is not fear from our normal understanding but fear in sense of awe and reverence before the Lord, who is God.

Because of this awe due to the Lord, we are urged to keep the commands of the Lord out of our love for God in response to his love for us.

Years ago someone reflected on a person’s maturation throughout life and applied to our spiritual journey, which depends on the reason and purpose of each of our decisions. He said that our initial reason for acting is usually fear of punishment. Then we act out of hope of a reward. Then we learn to do things out of obligation. Then we make decisions based on wanting to be accepted by others. Then we come to the point of making decisions out of our free choice. Finally, he said that the ultimate and highest motivation for our decision becomes love.

When God revealed his Commands to his people with the expectation of them being obeyed, the people did so for the most part out of fear of punishment, out of hope of reward, out of obligation, etc. He desired them to do it out of love. “Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, etc.”

Reading 2: The reading identifies three roles that Jesus, out of love for us, has taken on. He is our Intercessor, our High Priest and our Savior. He chose to be each simply out of love of the Father and out of love for us. Seated at the right hand of the Father, he now intercedes for us as we journey to the Father. What he intercedes for is us to be eternally with God in glory.

As High Priest, he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sake. In so doing he became our Lord and Savior, reconciling us to the Father and to one another. This is how much he has shown his immense love for us.

Gospel: Jesus perfectly lived in his humanity the love of God. His response to the Scribe was not just pious words but the reality he lived.  Love of God primarily and subsequently love of others were the hallmarks of Jesus’ life.  As such, Jesus has become the pattern for each of us as we seek to be his disciples and live in love.

The Scribe could be each of us. We come to Jesus seeking the truth, desiring to be faithful to God. In asking his question the Scribe is a lawyer, who is aware of the many additional commands of the Law that were imposed as an obligation upon people. He was seeking simplification.

The answer Jesus gave him was the very prayer called the Shema each covenanted Jew recited several times a day. The Scribe acknowledges that Jesus spoke the truth. In turn, Jesus affirms the Scribe with one difference. To know the right answer is the first step. Now, it was important that the Scribe live in the truth, not by saying the words only but by choosing to love God and others out of love.

To know the truth with understanding shows that we are not far from the Kingdom of God. To live the truth with conviction and commitment is to be in the Kingdom of God. To be not far from the Kingdom of God is different from being actually in the Kingdom of God. It is the difference between eternally not being in God’s presence and eternally being with the Lord. The difference is determined by the reality of our love of God and others.

 “In the difficulties which are placed before me, why should I not act like a donkey? When one speaks ill of him – the donkey says nothing. When he is mistreated – he says nothing. When he is forgotten – he says nothing. When no food is given him – he says nothing. When he is made to advance – he says nothing. When he is despised – he says nothing. When he is overburdened – he says nothing. The true servant of God must do likewise, and say with David: “Before Thee I have become like a beast of burden.”  Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533-1617)

A Saint is one who has learned to curb the human passions and responses that will not befit one who is trying to be holy like God is holy. These passions and responses have one focus, self. The Saint has another focus, the Other. In my human passions and responses have I satisfied God or myself? Dying to self is very hard, unless one is in love with someone greater. Dying to self is to allow myself to be striped of anything and everything that is not pleasing to God. Jesus, the Son of God, was ill-treated in his life but did not retaliate. In this way he shows us how we are to follow in his footsteps into glory.

 Thirty-first Sunday Gospel B

One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well Jesus had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" 

· Most of the times the scribes question Jesus, not because they are looking for answers, but to trap Jesus. However, as we will see, this scribe probably is seeking the truth from Jesus.

· The reason he asked this question was that the rabbis had indicated there were as many as 613 commandments that the people were to follow. How often, as human beings, we complicate things when God makes things so simple?

Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 

· What did Jesus do? He took the first three commandments of the 10 that reflect our relationship with God and said the first commandment is to love God totally with our whole being. Then he took the other seven commandments of the 10 that focus on our relationship with others and said that we must love others.

· Later Jesus will simplify things even further by saying: “I give you a new commandment: Love (God and others) as I have loved you.”

· Love is the great commandment. Everything can be boiled down to this one command.

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, 'He is One and there is no other than he.' And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 

· What was the wisdom Jesus showed that impressed the scribe? He simplified things without compromising truth, while others complicated them.

· How simplified or complicated is our life? How can we simplify it?

And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." 

· To know the truth puts one not far from the kingdom. However, one does not embrace the kingdom until one acts upon the truth and lives it as best as possible.

· We know the truth. How well are we living the “two” commandments, that are in reality one. Is love of God and others the motive underlying everything we do?

And no one dared to ask him any more questions. 

· This week what can we do to put this teaching into practice?

 “Just as the mere memory of fire, doesn’t seem warm to the body, so also faith, without love doesn’t produce the light of knowledge in the soul.” St. Maximus the Confesssor (+662)

Love is the primary key to the fullness of life and the fullness of relationship. It is this love between ourselves and God that enables us to believe the truths of revelation without fully appreciating all that is contained within. Because of the love of a child for the parent, the child believes what the parent says because the parent said it. Later, the adult child realizes why the parent said what they did. That is why God, who loves us first, calls us to love in return, so that we can accept what he teaches us, because he is who he is. As we grow in love, we will be better able to see the gradual flowering of his revelation with new understanding.

 “It is because of faith that we exchange the present for the future. “St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622)

The present we see and experience. The future we do not see. Because of the promises of Jesus, we believe that we are not meant to live on earth forever, but to live with God eternally. This present life is one of sight. Life beyond the grave is a life of love and peace. As we live in the present moment, our faith is in the words of Jesus. “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.^”  (John 14:3) Believing in Jesus, I want to exchange the present away from the Lord for the future with the Lord.

 “Arise my soul, and review your deeds which have preceded from you. Scrutinize them closely, and shed the rain of your tears, declaring openly to Christ your thoughts and deeds, so that you may be justified.” St. Andrew of Crete (650-740)

Our deeds are our many sins over a life time. Like the sand on the shore, too many to begin to count. Our tears flow from a contrite and humble heart, deeply repentant. Our justification comes from the death and resurrection of Jesus, Our Savior, who took upon himself all our sins. Our deeds are our own. Our tears are ours, moved by the grace of God. Our justification is totally from Christ. We are the recipients and benefactors of his righteousness on our behalf. The desire to sin no more is ours by grace. The decision to repent and move on in the new life from God is ours by grace. But the justification is responded to with the grace of gratitude and firm amendment of heart.

 "Christian perfection consists in three things: praying heroically, working heroically, and suffering heroically. St. Anthony Claret (1807-1870)

What does this mean or look like? I think that St. Paul summarized this way of living in these words. "And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." "Heroically" is not meant to be understood from the aspect of quantity but quality. It is not the time we spend in prayer, or work or suffering, but the focus of our prayer, work or suffering. Some saints were called by God to greater prayer, work and suffering. However, most saints lived ordinary lives, doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way, namely, living a life in union with Jesus. That is the road for most of us.

Homily Thirtieth Sunday Year B

Reading 1: The prophet Jeremiah’s earlier words from the Lord to the Chosen People was repent and return to the Lord. If they did not repent, then they would be overcome by their enemies and sent into exile for seventy years. The people did not heed the word of the Lord and suffered the consequences of their rejection of the Covenant. In exile, they recognize that their chastisement was the result of their sins and the sins of their leaders against God.

In our first reading, Jeremiah now gives the people in exile a word of hope. He tells them what was to come, how they are to respond and why was it to happen. What was to come? God would deliver them from exile and return them to the Promised Land, no matter how scattered, broken or scattered they were. As God led their ancestors from bondage in Egypt to the Promise Land, he will do the same for them. Why was it to happen? God is a father to his people. He has covenanted himself to them and them to him. The God who showed his power in chastisement is the God who will show his power in restoration. What seems impossible to them is possible to God. What should their response be? Shout with joy, exalt, proclaim and acknowledge what God has and was doing.

How can we apply this to us today? Jesus delivered us from the bondage of sin once for all ant that grace is present to us, when we fall again and again. We are called to repent and return to the Lord. Why would he so love us? We are his, we belong to him by virtue of creation, redemption and adoption. What shall our response be? We are called, not only to praise and give thanks, but make a firm decision to remain faithful to our heavenly Father.

These are the facts but what is the reality in our life? What has been our past history? What is our reality today?

Gospel: The background of our Gospel today is the spiritual blindness of the Apostles. Jesus revealed to them that he was the expected Messiah who would suffer a cruel death but rise again. Their response was summed up by Peter. This was not their understanding of the Messiah. They were thinking of their power and authority which they would exercise in the kingdom Jesus would restore. Last Sunday, Jesus shared that the Messiah has come to lay down his life, to serve not to be served.

In today’s reading, a man recognized his physical blindness, but he had spiritual insight. He believed that Jesus could heal him and would heal him. He professed Jesus as the Son of David, the Messiah. He remained resolute in spite of the negative reactions of the crowd. He trusted in the4 word of Jesus, “what do you want me to do for you?”  His faith, acceptance, openness and trust in Jesus opened him to the healing he desired. His spiritual insight led to his physical sight, which led to his physical and spiritual commitment to Jesus. He followed him. He became a disciple. He didn’t receive the gift of physical sight and just walked away. His encounter with Jesus would not allow him to be the same after as before. If it did, he would not be grateful. To be touched by Jesus means that one become more committed to him. To be more committed means we become more aware of other areas of spiritual blindness within for Jesus to heal.

What are our areas of spiritual blindness? Do we really believe that Jesus can free us? Do we call upon him with conviction and hope? Do we do what he asks us to do? Are we so trusting in him that nothing else matters?

Reading 2: The Son was called by the Father to be the Priest/Victim for our sake. He was called to embrace the cross, to give his life as an offering in reparation for our sins, so that we could live with God forever. What was Jesus’ response? Obedience even to death by crucifixion.  Why? He knew the Father’s love and he loved the Father and loved us. It was this bond of love that enable Jesus to embraced the role of victim for our sake. He is our justification and righteousness. Through his loving obedience he sets us an example.

“Our union in heaven will depend upon our communion with God on earth.” St. Luigi Guanella (1842-1915)

If we kept this in mind throughout our day, reminding ourselves of the truth of this statement, then how would we live each day? Would we ask ourselves often how does what I am doing or saying affect my eternal salvation?  Yes, we will fall short many times. But the very awareness of this reality will bring us back to the right track. As Paul attests: “In him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

 Thirtieth Sunday Gospel B

They came to Jericho. 

· Jericho is located about fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem, five miles west of the Jordan River, and six miles north of the Dead Sea. It is the last major city before climbing up to Jerusalem.

And as Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 

· It was not uncommon in those days for beggars to be on the main roadways begging for help.

· Imagine yourself being Bartimaeus. Try to feel what he may have felt at the moment.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me." 

· What is unusual about his statement? He is physically blind, but he has the spiritual insight to recognize Jesus as the son of David, the one promised to come. Imagine his faith expectancy.

· In your spiritual blindness cry out to Jesus from your heart. Imagine your faith expectancy.

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. 

· How many times have others tried to prevent us from both recognizing Jesus and coming to him in our own journey?

·

But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." 

· How persistent have we been in crying out to Jesus in our times of our own spiritual blindness?

· Like him we cannot stop crying out from our inner need.

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, he is calling you." He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 

· When Jesus calls us out of our spiritual blind state, how quickly do we respond?

· Imagine the scene and yourself being Bartimaeus.

Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" 

· Be still and listen to Jesus say the same thing to you.

The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." 

· What do you want from Jesus? What is the spiritual blindness that you want to be freed from? What is that area of sin that keeps you away from him?

Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. 

· Do you believe that Jesus wants to do the same for you here and now? What is needed on your part?

· What is the process that we see in this story which is the way Jesus wants to work in our lives as well?

· How can you respond to Jesus this week that reflects the meaning of this passage?

 “There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already borne for us, and does not now bear with us. And on the far side of every cross we find the newness of life in the Holy Spirit, that new life which will reach its fulfillment in the resurrection. This is our faith. This is our witness before the world.” St. John Paul II (1920-2005)

No matter the situation, in the darkest dungeons of the soul, on the loneliest deserted island, or in the whirlwind of the business of life, Jesus is there with us. That is his promise in the Scriptures. This is a consistent word in the Scriptures. “Be not afraid. I am with you.” Only with the eyes of faith and love can we see the truth of his presence. Without these eyes, we experience the blindness that comes from darkness. In all the experiences of life we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. This faith is like the night-vision device that enables one to see clearly in the dark. With Jesus, as the song states, “You’ll never walk alone.”

 “I appeal therefore first to you, my brethren, who, having committed crimes refuse penance! You, I say, who are timid after being shameless, who are bashful after sinning! You who are not ashamed to sin, but are ashamed to confess! You who bring to God a polluted soul and a profane body, as if, because God is silent, he does not know! Hear what the Lord has done, and then what he has said.” St. Pacian of Barcelona (310-391)

The Scriptures are clear about what the Lord thinks when we come into his presence with blemished lives without repentance. The words of Jesus to the religious leaders of his day could be equally applied to some who enter Church on Sunday. “Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy about you when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me.’” (Matthew 15:7-9) Yes, the Church is a place for both saints and sinners, saints who know they are sinners; sinners, who wish to return to the Lord, seeking forgiveness.  But it is the hypocrisy of those who are unrepentant sinners appearing to be saints, which offends the Lord. Come into his presence with contrite and humble hearts and he will raise you up.

 “If we have offended the Lord, let us not increase grief upon grief, doubting His forgiveness; if we have reviled His holiness and justice, let us at least honor His mercy; and while the whole world sings of His goodness, would our heart be the only one hesitating to pay Him this praise?” St. Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)

The classic sin of Judas was not that he betrayed Jesus for money, but that he failed to remember the Master’s many teachings and signs of forgiveness and mercy. The beautiful witness of Peter is, after he denied Jesus to protect his own life, he wept, when Jesus’ gaze of mercy met his. He not only repented but he professed his love for Jesus three times for having denied him three times. Judas’ rejection of the grace of mercy saddened Jesus. Peter’ acceptance, gladdened Jesus. It was the grace of his crucifixion bearing fruit in Peter as it did in the Good Thief. We will sin. But will we remain in sin, because we don’t feel God can or will forgive us, because of what we did? Or will we sincerely repent? The sooner we do, the sooner will the angels rejoice.

 “It is not by our own power, not by our own conduct, but by the will of God that we are sanctified.” St. Ignatius of Antioch

That we be holy as the Lord is holy is the will of God. This holiness is a grace from God. Holiness is the path designed for us by God from all eternity. Our role is to embrace the will of God, to cooperate with the grace of God and to walk on the path to holiness. Our role is to die to the self, the old person, still alive in us after regeneration in Baptism. The grace of adoption in which we share in the life of God doesn’t make us immediately perfect. That perfection comes at the end of life, after having put to death the consequences of sin and after having the mind of Christ more and more. The way of the Lord is purification, transformation, glorification and ultimately union with God.

Homily Twenty-ninth Sunday Year B

Reading 1: Isaiah, centuries before Jesus, led by the Spirit, prophesied about the future Servant of God, who would suffer for others. This Servant of God would do so by giving his life as an offering for sin. Through his sufferings he will justify many and their guilt he shall bear. Thus, the will of God will be accomplished through him.

Without knowing the fuller implications of his prophetic message, Isaiah was preparing the Chosen People for God’s plan to redeem the world through his Son, Jesus. His very name Jesus, means one who saves his people from their sins. As the Messiah, the Christ, did the great work of salvation by freely embracing death on the cross at the hands of others in total obedience to the Father.

As God is beyond our comprehension and as all that God does is beyond our understanding, so his will to become man and give his life for our life is beyond our comprehension.  He chose to be our justification for our choice of sin, for our rejection of the gift of sharing in God’s divine life. God could have chosen other options, but he chose this great sign of his infinite love to restore us to his divine life.

Take a few moments to reflect of this great sign of love Christ shows us. It is for my sins that he gave his life so that I could live in him, free from the bondage of sin in eternity.

Gospel: Picking up the Suffering Servant theme in Isaiah, Jesus defines is own ministry and that of his disciples. It is ministry of contradiction, a ministry of service. It is an attitude which goes against the desires and expectations of what people experience and are taught. Power and authority over others is the way of life of the world we live in. The more power over others one exercises, the more important the person is in the eyes of others and more the person is emulated. So the world thinks.

Jesus talks about real power through an attitude and a life of service to others.  He is not just advocating any service but ultimate service, namely, giving one’s life for the other. We see this in a person like Mother Theresa of Calcutta. But we also see in the lives of many, unsung heroes, who placed others’ needs before their own. We see this in a person who donates a kidney, so that another can a possibility of a healthy life.

But Jesus is not talking only about extraordinary acts of service but the day to day opportunities we have to imitate him in little ways of serving out of love, out of gratitude, out of response to him for what he has done for us. It is the little way of St. Therese of Liseux. She chose to do all things out of love for the other, no matter what it was.

To lord it over another is to be self-focus. To serve another is to be other focus. Service is an aspect of love, a manifestation of love. You can have service without love. Can you have love without service? Jesus is calling for an attitude of the heart and way of life that he himself patterned for us. Though he was the Son of God, though he was the Lord, he went out of his way for others. As Paul says in Philippians: “He emptied himself and was obedient even to the death of the cross.”

Reading 2: What is the focus of this reading? Though he was God, the Incarnate Word, Jesus, suffered in his humanity. Though he was sinless, he became sin by taking on our sins. He is our Mediator and intercessor. It is through him that we can approach the infinite God for mercy and the forgiveness of our sins.

We are taught two things in the reading. Because of who Jesus is and what he has done for our sake, we are to remain faithful to our acknowledgment of him as Lord and Savior and confidently go through him to the Father of mercies.

“Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?” St. Gerard Majella (1726-1755)

We search for peace outside of ourselves, because we do not find peace within, due to our sins. But no created person or thing externally can fill the chasm within. Jesus gave us the answer to our quest. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” (John 14:27) What is this peace? It comes from a right relationship with God. Where there is serious sin, our relationship is severed. When this relationship is restored, then the peace which is a quality of our oneness with God is present. Rest in this peace, for it is the peace that will be eternal.

 Twenty-Ninth Sunday Gospel B

· The passage that precedes this in Mark’s Gospel is Jesus’ second prediction of his upcoming passion and death on the cross.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish (me) to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." 

· Does this sound like one up-manship to you? Does our prayer to Jesus sound similar at times? Are we more focus on ourselves than on Jesus and others at times?

Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 

· Jesus reminds them of what he just said about his upcoming passion and death. In other words, can you drink of the cup of suffering I am about to experience? Are you willing to embrace the cross of suffering?

· Jesus offers each of us the same invitation: to join him in the mystery of his passion and death. How do we understand and respond to this invitation?

They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." 

· Jesus is predicting their future sharing in his suffering and death. James was beheaded and John was persecuted. We can’t avoid the cross. It is part of our journey to eternal life.

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 

· Why do you think they were indignant? Was it because they were thinking of the same thing but were upset that James and John beat them in the asking?

· When was the last time we became indignant at the way others act, especially when it makes us look bad?

Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." 

· What does having a servant’s heart mean to you?

· What kind of a servant are you in your family setting? In the Church? In the community?

· To what extent are you willing to give your life for the sake of others, not literally, but figuratively, by thinking of what is best for others rather than what is best for you? How easy or hard is this to do daily? What are the consequences?

· What needs to be rectified in our relationship with Jesus and the faith community, if we are going to embrace the cross in our own lives?

· What application in our daily life this week will we make from this reflection?

“We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.” St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

These trials, at times, are in our lives to purify us and bring us into a deeper union with the sufferings of Jesus for our sake. We don’t have to ask for trials, but be willing to accept and embrace the trials that come. Listen to the words of St. Peter. “In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7) Stand firm and keep your eyes on the suffering of Jesus.

 “Prayer is difficult because it is opposed by our old self. It is also difficult because the evil one resists a praying man with all his might. To the devil, prayer is the foretaste of death, though of course he is already dead spiritually. However, prayer strikes him again, and that is why he resists it in every way. Even saints find prayer difficult at times, even though you’d think that they would only be comforted by it. Indeed, prayer brings with it a great comfort, not only to a righteous person, but also to a sinner.” St.Barsanuphaius of Optina (+545)

The distractions in prayer can be from the devil. He doesn’t want us to be in communication with God or to be in God’s presence. He attacks us not directly but through our imagination and senses. What we have to do is take the darts he flings at us and turn them as gifts to God. In other words, transform the distractions into prayer, focusing our thoughts not away from God but totally to God and for God. Holiness is not a freedom from distractions. It is a life of knowing how to turn something sour into something sweet and pleasing to the Lord. If you struggle with this, know that you are in good company with the Saints.

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” Pope Saint John XXIII (1881-1963)

The difference between the spiritually successful person and the one who is not is a positive attitude. If we focus on our fears, we will not have hope. If we look at our frustrations, we will continue to be frustrated. If we are convinced that we are failures, then we will not be able to achieve anything. The negative thinking trap is so easy to fall and stay in. However, if we approach life with a positive but realistic attitude, then the possibilities are as endless as the universe. The difference is whether we focus on the mud after a storm or the blue sky.

 “What great profit you gain from God when you are generous! You give a coin and receive a kingdom; you give bread from wheat and receive the Bread of Life; you give a transitory good and receive an everlasting one. You will receive it back, a hundred times more than you offered.” St. Thomas of Villanova (1486-1555)

St. Paul reminds us, “What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7) Everything we have has been given to us. Even what we worked for comes from abilities and talents received from God. Knowing this enables us to approach situations from God’s perspective. We give because we have been given. The more I give in gratitude and out of a debt to God, the more I will receive in return. In another place St. Paul tells us, “For God loves a cheerful giver.

Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8) With so little, we gain so much.

 Homily Twenty-eight Sunday Year B

Reading 1: What is the spiritual wisdom that the author is talking about? It is a gift of the Holy Spirit enabling one to perceive things as God does, namely as they really are. He asked for wisdom so that he may make the right judgment and choice. He wants to value what is truly good and lasting and ultimately beneficial to him in his relationship with God.

When we are limited to ourselves and to our human wisdom, our view is limited and blurred by many circumstances, feelings, memories, experiences. These color our perception. But to see with the insight of God a given situation as it is here and now is to have the best information to make the right decision. Wisdom is a gift of God that I must be open to and seek after. The Psalmist says that the fear of or awe before God is the beginning of wisdom.

To be able to see as God sees I must first approach God as he is with awe, praise, glory and thanksgiving that is due him. This wisdom comes to the extent there is a right relationship with God.

Reading 2: The wisdom of God is not hidden from us. It is revealed to us in the Word of God. The Word of God is given to guide, reveal, nurture, correct and judge us. Jesus said: “I will not judge you, but my word will.” Isaiah said that the Word of God is like rain that comes down from the heavens. It will not return void. It will do the will of him who sent it.”

How do we listen and respond to the Word of God? We will have to give an account as to our reception and response to the Ore who revealed his word to us. To receive the Word of God we need to pray for the gift of wisdom and then act on his Word accordingly.

Gospel: What was the one thing lacking? Jesus here identifies it as a lack. In another encounter when Martha confronted Jesus about her sister Mary not helping her in the household chores, Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. What was lacking by the young man and what was chosen by Mary? Jesus, as the Lord of one’s life! This is the wisdom of the first reading: to see what is essential and important from God’s perspective and to prudentially act on it.

Keeping the commandments can be a mere external obligation or it can flow from a relationship with God. The Israelites in the desert, though they were told the commandments and entered into a covenant relationship with God, that relationship was not internal but external.

The young man was doing the right thing, keeping the commandments. But when challenged by Jesus to root this doing with being in a conscious, committed relationship with Jesus as a disciple, he couldn’t. There was a block, his dependency on his possessions. He couldn’t totally depend upon Jesus.  He failed to realized what was impossible to him was possible through the grace of God. Matthew, the tax collector, made a different choice.

The question that the Gospel proposes to us is have we sought what is God’s plan for us, what is the wisdom of God? Have we chosen the better part? Is Jesus really the Lord of our lives? Are we following him totally or conveniently? Do we have to totally abandon all or make Jesus the center of all?

When Jesus is the center of my life, the other things do not have the same impact or importance in my life. Whether they are there or not is not the important question. Rather whether Jesus is truly the Lord of my life is at the heart of the Gospel message. To be a disciple was not enough. That was the first step. To fall in love with Jesus is; life itself is not as important. I step aside for the other and in the process become more complete and fulfilled.