Fr. Tom's Blog

Companionship

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:10:00 +0000

When love is coupled with faith, a beautiful companionship is created! We see the beauty of such companionship in the faith and love of St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica. My favorite story about their companionship was written by Saint Gregory the Great. He wrote--

Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year. He would come down to meet her at a place on the monastery property, not far outside the gate.

One day she came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; they spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things. As night fell they had supper together.

Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late. The holy nun said to her brother: “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life.” “Sister,” he replied, “what are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell.”

When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly he began to complain: “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” “Well,” she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery.”

Reluctant as he was to stay of his own will, he remained against his will. So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life.
It is not surprising that she was more effective than he, since as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more. (Lib. 2, 33: PL 66, 194-196)

Let's take time today to praise God for the blessings of companionship!

Inside Out

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:36:00 +0000

A lot of our time is spent worrying about the external things in life--trying to do things right, maintaining appearances, and having our proverbial house in order. In reality, the inside is much more important, because the inside determines the outside. Jesus explained this to the Pharisees, saying, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile" (Mark 7:14).

If we apply this teaching in a broad way to our entire spiritual life, we can conclude that the best use of our time and energy is growing in interior awareness--an awareness of the movements within ourselves and letting that discernment bear good fruit in our words and actions. The movement of the Holy Spirit, then, is from the inside out; from inner healing and interior discernment to healthy and holy external choices.

Three Types of Worshippers

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:18:00 +0000

There are three basic types of people who worship God. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter seven, Jesus implicitly describes these types. There are some people who limit worship to simply following the rules. This might include those who attend Mass just because the Church teaches that we should not miss. They are less disposed to encountering the living God at Mass and more interested in getting their "obligation" out of the way.

The second type of worshipper is the one who tries desperately to avoid any of the rules of faith out of fear that such rules might contaminate their relationship with God. Unfortunately, these people often end up basing their practice of faith on their feelings. In other words, they attend Mass when they feel like it and they pray only when their in the mood. They interpret this as their openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit verses following man-made rules.

The last type of worshipper is the one who understands the rules of faith as an invitation into something deeper. For example, such people see the obligation of attending Mass each week as a fulfillment of the commandment to "keep holy the Sabbath," and a response to God's unconditional love. They not only attend Mass, but they participate fully in the Mass, letting it be an encounter with the living God.

What is our opinion of rules of faith? How do we respond to them? What fears do they stir up in us? What encouragement do we find in them?

The Goals of the Diocese

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:56:00 +0000

This weekend, Bishop Taylor preached at all of the parishes in our Diocese via CD. His homily was on the implementation of the goals that he established for our Diocese last fall. It sounds like things are going well and that the goals are being accomplished! You can read or hear the homily by visiting my website: www.FatherT.com and clicking on the homilies page.

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy the Super Bowl! Go Eagles! I mean, next year...

Singing Someone's Praises

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:12:00 +0000

Occasionally, we are given the opportunity to "sing someone's praises"--to share with others the wonderful things a person has done and/or to thank him or her for being such a wonderful person. Taking the time to do this is important because it causes us to grow in an attitude of gratitude, and it helps us to not take others for granted.

The author of Sirach dedicated chapter forty-seven to singing King David's praises. The litany of praises can be summed up with one sentence, "Like the choice fat of the sacred offerings, so was David in Israel." While you and I might not compliment someone by comparing them to fat, this was actually a very high compliment in ancient Israel!

Who do you and I need to compliment today? Whose praises need to be sung?

The Feast of the Presentation

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:51:00 +0000

Today, forty days after Christmas, we celebrate the Presentation of Christ in the temple. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for the traditional dedication, they found Simeon and Anna waiting there, hoping to see the Christ. Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon prayed to God--

Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.

Simeon recognized Jesus as the Light of the world! Because of this, we traditionally bless candles on this day and celebrate Jesus being our Eternal Light! In fact, some people refer to this holy day as "Candlemas." Some of the candles that we bless today will be used tomorrow, on the Feast of St. Blaise, for the blessing of throats.

Let us look for opportunities today to reflect the light of Christ to those around us!

Faith in Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:13:00 +0000

What is the object of our faith? In the Gospel of Mark 6:1-6, we are told that Jesus could perform only a few miracles because of the people's lack of faith. Interestingly, this Scripture passage makes it very clear that the object of our faith is not miracles, but the Person of Jesus Christ. In other words, we are to believe in the God who can work miracles, not the miracles of God.

In addition to this truth, chapter six in the Gospel of Mark also challenges us to accept Christ as He truly is, not as we think He should be. This is an invitation into an authentic relationship with Christ, where we choose not to put Him in the proverbial box, but rather, we let go of our own preconceived notions, trusting in the truth that has been handed down to us from the Apostles. Another way of saying this is--what is most important is not who we say Christ is, but rather, who Christ says He is through His Bride, the Church. This is the Christ who is the source and fulfillment of our faith!

In what ways do you and I put Christ in a box and limit who He is for us? In what ways do we put more faith in what we want Him to do rather than in who He is?

Catholic Schools Week and St. John Bosco

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:49:00 +0000

How perfect! We are celebrating the feast of St. John Bosco during Catholic Schools Week! Saint John, who lived in the 19th century, was an amazing advocate of educating children in all areas of their lives, including spiritually. Rejecting corporal punishment, Saint John advocated treating children with love and respect, and giving them frequent access to the Sacraments, especially Eucharist and Reconciliation. In a letter that he wrote, Saint John gives encouragement and inspiration to all of us who are involved in the formation of children--

It is easier to become angry than to restrain oneself, and to threaten a boy than to persuade him. Yes, indeed, it is more fitting to be persistent in punishing our own impatience and pride than to correct the boys. We must be firm but kind, and be patient with them.... Let us regard those boys over whom we have some authority as our own sons. Let us place ourselves in their service. Let us be ashamed to assume an attitude of superiority. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose of serving them better.... They are our sons, and so in correcting their mistakes we must lay aside all anger and restrain it so firmly that it is extinguished entirely. There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips. We must use mercy for the present and have hope for the future, as is fitting for true fathers who are eager for real correction and improvement.

Today, let's thank God for the gift of Catholic education, which forms the whole child--academically, athletically, and spiritually. Let's pray for the intercession of Saint John Bosco in continuing our mission of education and formation with patience and love.

Bishop's Letter about Healthcare

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:09:00 +0000

Dear friends, as you might have heard, our bishop has recently released a statement regarding the new health care policies being put into place by the government. These are changes that significantly affect all of us Christians and rob us of our religious freedom. Click here to read the bishop's statement, which contains an additional link to more information for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Please keep our country and our politicians in your prayers.

small tO BIG

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:39:00 +0000

God loves to do BIG things through small circumstances! This is probably why Jesus used the image of a mustard seed to describe the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:30-31). A mustard seed is very tiny, yet becomes a significant bush. Similarly, while the Kingdom of God started small (a few Jews in Israel), it is growing into a universal Kingdom! Such growth, like the spreading of the Good News throughout the world, glorifies God.

In what ways have you and I seen God bring BIG blessings out of small circumstances? Here are a few examples that come to my mind--the small boy whose faith got his parents to start going to church again, the handicapped woman whose courage inspired thousands to hope for greater things, and the small church that dared to dream of bringing Christian and encouraging movies to Hollywood. These are all examples of the Kingdom of God growing in our midst!

Institute for Priestly Formation

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:27:00 +0000

For those of you who don't know about the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF), here is the link to a short youtube video that describes the awesome ministry that they do. I am honored to be an adjunct spiritual director for their summer seminarian program, having had my own priesthood saved and transformed by their ministry. Please keep IPF in your prayers. And, if you're looking for a worthwhile ministry to financially support, this is definitely a great one!

Friendship

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:19:00 +0000

What is a friend? For me, the answer to that question changes with each passing year. Today's feast day gives us an opportunity to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the gift of friendship. Saints Timothy and Titus were friends of Saint Paul. His letters to them in Sacred Scripture offer us a wonderful glimpse into the beauty of a friendship rooted in Christ.

For example, in Paul's second letter to Timothy, he indirectly teaches us that authentic friendship entails gratitude for the gift of our friends, intercession for them, a desire to see them often, joy in knowing them, and a shared faith in Jesus Christ. Saint Paul wrote to Timothy--

I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. (2 Timothy 1:3-5)

Today, let's take a few minutes to share with God our gratitude for our friends.

Whose at the Center?

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:08:00 +0000

Undoubtedly, the conversion of Saint Paul is one of the most spectacular conversions in the history of the Church! We read about it in the Book of Acts (9:1-5)--

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus,
a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He said, "Who are you, sir?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

On that road to Damascus, Saint Paul explained that "Christ made me his own" (Phil. 3:12). In that spectacular moment, the center of Saint Paul's life shifted from the Jewish law to Jesus Christ! His conversion wasn't the product of learning theology or philosophy, but rather, it was the product of an encounter with the Living Christ, which left Paul zealous to please Christ in everything. As he matured in his Christian faith, Paul was able to eventually say such bold things as, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (2 Cor. 2:20) and "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

Today, as we celebrate Saint Paul's conversion, I invite us to reflect on our own conversion. How did we become a follower of Christ? What used to be the center of our lives? What/Who is the center now?

Who Should We Love?

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:42:00 +0000

There are many people in our lives who are difficult to love. Because of this, we tend to surround ourselves, as much as possible, with those who we find easy to love. We might call that type of love "preferential love." In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus shows us that His love is not preferential love--

A crowd seated around [Jesus] told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and [my] brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:32-35)

Saint Frances de Sales, who memorial we celebrate today, addressed the importance of our love moving beyond just those who are easy to love in his book The Devout Life. He explained--

Generally speaking, how is it with you as concerning your neighbour? Do you love him cordially, and for God's Sake? In order to answer this fairly, you must call to mind sundry disagreeable, annoying people, for it is in such cases that we really practise the Love of God with respect to our neighbours, and still more towards them that do us wrong, either by word or deed.
Examine whether your heart is thoroughly clear as regards all such, and whether it costs you a great effort to love them. Are you quick to speak ill of your neighbours, especially of such as do not love you? Do you act unkindly in any way, directly or indirectly, towards them? A very little honest self-dealing will enable you to find this out.

May God give us the grace today (and always) to love those who are the hardest to love!

Repentance

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:03:00 +0000

This weekend, I preached on repentance. Here is a link to the homily. I hope all of you have a blessed week (As I type this, there are parts of our state that are getting some very severe weather, so I'm praying everyone will be safe).

Saint Agnes

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Very little is known about St. Agnes except that she lived in the third century and was martyred at the age of 12 or 13. Like Maria Goretti in our own time, Agnes' martyrdom caused a huge stir among the people. Countless men and women were inspired and encouraged by her faith and courage!

One such person who was inspired by the life and death of St. Anges was St. Ambrose, who wrote these beautiful words about her--

A new kind of martyrdom! Too young to be punished, yet old enough for a martyr’s crown; unfitted for the contest, yet effortless in victory, she shows herself a master in valor despite the handicap of youth. As a bride she would not be hastening to join her husband with the same joy she shows as a virgin on her way to punishment, crowned not with flowers but with holiness of life, adorned not with braided hair but with Christ Himself. (Lib. 1, cap. 2. 5. 7-9: PL 16 [edit. 1845], 189-191)

Through the intercession of St. Agnes, may our world be saturated in faith, purity, and courage!
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Pop-Up Gospel

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:36:00 +0000

Years ago, VH-1 used to show "pop-up" music videos, which featured behind the scenes information about what was taking place in the videos. Today, several television networks do something very similar during movies. As the movie plays, small boxes of additional information pop up on the bottom of the screen. What would these boxes say if they popped up during the Gospel of Mark 3:13-15? Well, let's see!

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.

The phrase, "up the mountain" is a way for a Biblical author to tell us that something really important is going to happen!

He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles...

The number 12 is an important Biblical number, going all the way back to the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament. It is often used to represent a "fullness" of something.

...that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach...

The word, "Apostle," means "one who is sent." While there were many people who followed Jesus (i.e. disciples), there were not many who He sent out in His name to do ministry.

...and to have authority to drive out demons...

Driving out demons was one of the recognized "marks" of a holy person in Biblical times. Those who had this gift were seen as people to whom one should listen closely. When Jesus gave this authority to the Apostles, He was inviting them to be spiritual leaders who would preach an important message.

Jesus' Popularity

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:50:00 +0000

Most people desire to be popular. We define such popularity as--being liked, admired, appreciated, respected, and honored by others. We feel popular when other people imitate us, ask us for our opinion, and make us the center of attention. However, none of these things are actually part of the definition of being popular. The word, "popular," comes from a Latin word meaning, "belonging to the people."

Based on the Latin meaning of the word, Jesus was very popular. He clearly understood that His life was not His own, but rather, it was for the people. He continually poured out His life for others, letting Himself be spent by the demands of the crowds around Him. Over and over again, "a large number of people came to him," and Jesus ministered to them (Mark 3:8). This is what it means to be popular--not to be the center of other people's attention and honor, but rather, to understand that we belong to other people and let ourselves be spent for them.

Take two minutes to tell God what stirs in your heart when you read this Latin understanding of the word "popular." In what way is God calling you into popularity right now in your life?

Jesus Got Angry

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Jesus got angry. There are two Scripture references to Jesus getting angry with people. There was the incident in the temple, when Jesus turned over the money changers tables. In this passage, we are not explicitly told that Jesus was angry, but the description of the scene definitely confirms His anger. The other Scripture reference is Mark 3:1-6, which explicitly states that Jesus looked around at the Pharisee "with anger" and was "grieved at their hardness of heart." In both of these passages, Jesus' anger was not sinful, but rather, it was righteous anger.

We feel "sinful anger" when our expectations are not met. Often, such anger leads to other feelings like resentment and a desire to get even with those who caused our hurt. Righteous anger is different, though. We feel righteous anger when God's expectations are not met. Rather than leading to resentment and a desire to get even, righteous anger leads to deeper love for others and a desire to lead them to God and to holiness. The foundation of righteous anger has to be humility, because without humility our righteous anger will quickly turn into self-righteousness.

When have you experienced righteous anger recently? How did God want to use that anger to help others?

Jesus=Religion

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:59:00 +0000

On January 10th, a young man posted a video on youtube entitled, "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." In the video, the young man blames religion (presumably Christianity) with being more concerned about following rules than following Jesus. He wrongly assumes that his message is just an echo of Jesus' dislike of the Pharisees' preoccupation with the law, which we find an example of in today's Gospel reading.

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter two, the Pharisees questioned why Jesus' disciples were doing that which was "unlawful," namely preparing food on the Sabbath (i.e. picking grains of wheat). Jesus challenged them to be more concerned with people than with the letter of the law--"The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath" (Mark 2:28).

What the young man in the video seems to miss, is that Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (see Matthew 5:17). Being a Christian doesn't mean we try to eliminate all of the laws and rules of faith, but rather, that we understand the spirit of the law and let the Holy Spirit guide us through them into an ever deeper relationship with Christ. This was explained very beautifully in a rebuttal video, which addresses all of the popular misconceptions found in the video mentioned earlier. To hear the response, simply click Jesus=Religion

Today, let's take some time to reflect on the rules of our faith--in what ways do they challenge us, encourage us, strengthen us, and convict us? In what ways do they lead us toward Christ? Also, which ones do we tend to stumble over the most?

Deeper, Not Different

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:49:00 +0000

This weekend, I preached on how God often challenges us, through difficulties and struggles, to go deeper, rather than running to something different. I also offered some information about an amazing retreat program for married couples who are struggling in their marriage, called Retrouvaille. I know there are numerous couples in our parish that can benefit from Retrouvaille. The good news is that there is one coming up in Little Rock in just a few weeks!

On an almost completely unrelated note--I just noticed that the next blog entry I post will be my 500th since I began blogging! Good heavens! Anyway--I hope all of you have a blessed and joyful Son-day!

The Envy of the Israelites

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:52:00 +0000

Have you ever been jealous of another person? Or... was it envy? We often use the words "jealously" and "envy" interchangeably, but they are different. In 1 Samuel, chapter eight, we are given a beautiful example of envy. The ancient Israelites were a small nation, but their significance did not come in their size or their political prestige, but rather, it came from their identity as God's Chosen People. However, they became envious of the surrounding nations, who had earthly, visible kings as their leaders rather than an invisible God. They began to grumble and complain--

There must be a king over us.
We too must be like other nations,
with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare
and fight our battles.

Whereas jealousy is marked with "fear of loss, low self-esteem, uncertainty, loneliness, fear of losing something important, and distrust," envy involves "feeling inferior, resentment of circumstances, motivation to improve, and the desire to possess the attractive rival's qualities." The latter is what the Israelites were feeling; it was the motivation behind their desire for an earthly king.

When we are envious, we are actually giving priority to something or someone besides God, which, as the Israelites learned, can be very dangerous.

Surprise Endings

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:59:00 +0000

Most stories are very predictable--the good guys win. We are so used to this predictability in movies and books that it can be disturbing when real life isn't just as predictable. Yet, Scripture shows us that life is not predictable. For example, in the first book of Samuel, the Israelites battled the Philistines. I expected the Israelites to win. The story makes it very clear that they were not winning, so they went and got the Ark of the Covenant--the Presence of God--and brought it into battle with them. A spectacular win would have been the predictable ending to this story, but instead, we read--

The Philistines fought and Israel was defeated;
every man fled to his own tent.
It was a disastrous defeat,
in which Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers.
[and] the ark of God was captured... (1 Samuel 4:10-11a)

It can be shocking and disturbing when our expectations in life are not met. It can be even more shocking and disturbing when it explicitly involves God--when we expect God to do one thing and He does something different. This can often leave us as disappointed and confused as the Israelites after their battle with the Philistines.

Our response to the unpredictability of life can either be 1) anger, resentment, agnosticism, or atheism, or it can be 2) a deeper appreciation of how God uses everything in life to draw us closer to Himself. In the words of Saint Ignatius of Loyola-- "Everything has the potential of calling forth in us a deeper response to our life in God" (Principle and Foundation).

The Whispers of God

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:44:00 +0000

"Speak, for your servant is listening." Eli told Samuel to make this response to God when he heard his voice being called int he middle of the night (1 Samuel 3). Eli helped Samuel to realize that it was God who was calling him and encouraged him to respond with openness and receptivity.

Every day, God whispers to us. He whispers because that is the volume of intimacy and closeness. An important part of our spiritual journey is quieting the noise in our lives that we might hear God's whisper with the ears of our hearts and respond like Samuel.

Think of a time recently when your heart was moved; what was God whispering to you at that moment? What was He trying to teach you? How was He laboring to love to you? In what way did you respond, "Speak, for your servant is listening?"

Judgmental

noreply@blogger.com (Fr. Tom Elliott) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:50:00 +0000

Every day, you and I make dozens of judgements about the people and situations that we encounter in life. Most of these judgements are important and necessary. A few of them, however, actually pigeonhole other people, limiting how God can communicate to us through them. We see this type of judgment illustrated in the exchange between Hannah and Eli. In the first book of Samuel we read about how Hannah was sobbing in the temple, mourning the fact that she was not able to conceive and begging God for the gift of a child. Eli saw her and assumed she was drunk.

As [Hannah] continued praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth, for Hannah was praying silently; though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli, thinking she was drunk, said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Sober up from your wine!” (1 Sam 1:12-14).

Eli almost missed an opportunity to show compassion to someone who was suffering because he misjudged Hannah. Let's look for opportunities today to accept people and situations for what they are and to hear God speaking through them.