2/21/2020 A New Way…Love Your NeighborDear friends on the journey, Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “change is the only constant in life.” But who likes change? I generally do not, unless it involves moving furniture! Change can often bring discomfort, fear and uncertainty. The thought of any of my kids or family moving away is gut wrenching. Anything that disturbs our daily comforts is overwhelming. On the other side of that same coin, change can bring us new people, adventures, experiences, joy and personal growth, both on the surface and deep down. One constant change are the seasons. In the next few weeks spring will arrive, bringing a new earth, new light and new life. This Wednesday our liturgical season changes too. Lent begins our annual 40-day spiritual retreat, a time to reflect on our spiritual life and relationship with God. If done right, that reflection can lead to change, the positive kind, the kind that transforms our hearts and minds to be more like Jesus. Jesus is constantly challenging us to change. To be his disciple means to shed our old ways and move closer to living the gospel values. Today’s readings are a perfect example of the radicalness of Christian discipleship. The readings are bookended by Lord telling the Israelite through Moses to “be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy” and Jesus telling his disciples (the apostles and us) to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” How can we possibly be holy and perfect? In Luke perfect is synonymous with merciful. Well, in the middle we’re given part of the formula:
What old way of yours is God calling you to change? Is it an unhealthy habit or addiction, a quick temper, too much time on a smart device? Is it an old grudge, impatience with your nextdoor neighbor or the store clerk, rage on the road, a family member with a different political opinion? Is it a lack of tolerance for the outorwork man at the off ramp, the indifference to the homeless, the judgment of immigrants, the condemnation of those of other races, religions, sexual orientation? This Lent is a good time to pray on your own area of growth and reflect on the new way, the transformational change to which God is calling you to be holy and merciful and love your neighbor as yourself. Siempre adelante! Teresa Runyon Faith Life Minister 2/14/2020 The Wisdom of SeniorsDear friends, Last October I had the opportunity of facilitating a Serra Seniors gathering on the “wisdom of seniors” and the following is a reflection on the experience. In the bible, Job 12 says this: "Is wisdom with the aged, and understanding in length of days?" The question is rhetorical, because the answer was obvious: of course (or in today's lingo, "Duh!"). What was so obvious to other generations and other cultures has gotten lost in our generation and our culture. Older Americans have accepted the condescending and dismissive narrative that they are permanently in weekend mode, that now is the time for endless play and being entertained. Your services, your insight, your wisdom -- in short, you -- are no longer needed. But in almost every society, the elderly are revered and consulted for their wisdom. All the great thinkers like Aristotle in the west and Confucius urge consulting the elderly on how to live or what gives life meaning, Don't consult the young; they have not lived enough. When Jesus is praised by the crowd for speaking with authority (Mt 7), they were perhaps praising him for having wisdom beyond his years, as Jesus was praised as a 12-year-old (Lk 2) for having wisdom beyond his years. Retired people don't have to be retired. They don't even have to be tired! Sometimes an old person is asked to tell her life story. The old person can also be asked to tell what she has learned about life by living. The old person can be consulted for his philosophy, not just for his biography. Here's advice from a popular self-help book: "Be true to your word." You need to buy a book for that? Old people don't have to read self-help books; they can write them. Seniors don't have to be told what to do; they know. The goal is not to feel better, but to think better. Wisdom cannot be reduced to little sayings. Those little sayings need explanation, examples, and support -- as well as warnings about when they should be ignored. Each of these little sayings is the beginning of an insight, not the insight itself. Here is a small sample of wisdom from seniors here at Padre Serra, with suggestions on how to continue the insights.
You don't have to be old to start systematically questioning your own beliefs -- not so that you will give them up, but so that you understand them. That verse from Job we started with is followed immediately by this one: "With God are wisdom and strength; God has counsel and understanding." Any wisdom we have is a gift from God. Pray for wisdom. When God favors you with it, write it down. Consult God, not a self-help book. Here is the final piece of advice. Have a regular prayer time each day that cannot be interrupted by anything. Dr. Janice Daurio Friends, Padre Serra’s annual golf tournament fundraiser, Fairways to Heaven, is just around the corner: Monday, March 16, at historic Las Posas Country Club here in Camarillo. Now in its fourth successful year, this fun-filled, all-day event features:
In advance of the event, everyone can participate in:
Whether you’re a golfer, sponsor, young, old, parishioner or new friend, this fabulous event is a lot of fun for everyone involved! All Fairways to Heaven proceeds will benefit educational resources and technologies for our youth and young adult ministries. The tournament committee needs your help to ensure this year’s tournament is the most successful yet! We are still looking for goods, services, vacation homes, sporting event tickets, unique experiences, a wine refrigerator, and much more to make our silent and live auctions even more spectacular, as well as additional golfers, dinner attendees, and sponsors at all levels. The best part is that everyone can participate, even if he or she isn’t at the event. Whether it’s an auction donation, tee sponsorship, helicopter ball drop or dinner raffle ticket purchase, the more we all help and participate, the better! Finally, this is a fantastic opportunity for your company or employer to sponsor a dinner table for eight, golf foursome, or both as a team-building activity or department reward. Thank you, everyone, for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at Fairways to Heaven on Monday, March 16! Peace and blessings, Paul and Eve Collier, Fairways Cochairs Luke Cardella, Tournament Coordinator Deserie Tyree and Mark Milner, Auction Coordinators And the whole amazing committee! Dear Friends, It’s only every several years that the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord falls on a Sunday, so it may be more familiar to those who attend daily mass. But it’s an important enough feast that when it does fall on a Sunday of Ordinary Time, it replaces that Sunday’s usual prayers and readings. That is the case this year. The reading from Luke’s gospel we hear this weekend is an account of how Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem in accordance with Jewish law, and of how two holy people who had been waiting faithfully for the Messiah (Simeon and Anna) reacted when they encountered Jesus. I’m struck by several things in the story. One is that Jesus was a Jew, as were his entire family and ancestry. He was brought up from the beginning to be observant of God’s law, to worship in the temple or synagogue, to observe the prescribed rituals, and to live justly and righteously, awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promise. Others much wiser than I have pondered at what point Jesus became aware that he was the Christ, the one that had been promised. The Scriptures tell us that he grew in grace, wisdom and favor. The faith of Simeon and Anna is also significant. In particular, it seems that Simeon never doubted that God would fulfill what had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit – that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. I love the way Simeon addresses God upon meeting Jesus after having waited for so long: “Now, Master you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation”. And Anna embodies our parish mission statement: “And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” She encountered Jesus. She became a disciple. The humility of Mary and Joseph is also compelling. Here are two people who have experienced a lot of supernatural events: Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary that she would be the Mother of the Savior, Joseph being counseled in a dream to go ahead and take Mary into his home even though she was with child, the journey to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus in the stable, the angels sending shepherds to worship the child, the star which guided the Magi with their gifts to the child, the escape from Herod’s slaughter of the innocent – again prompted by Joseph’s dream. One might think they would become used to strange and wonderful events. Yet they were “amazed” at what Simeon said about the child. In the letter to the Hebrews (our second reading) we hear a little more about the meaning of the gift of Jesus Christ: “…He had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” Brothers and sisters, that is us. Siempre Adelante, Dominic MacAller Liturgy and Music Minister 1/24/2020 The Lord is my light and my salvationDear Parish Family, As I was reflecting over the readings, I remembered a time when I was about 10 years old. I woke up in the middle of the night and as I sat up in my bed, I looked across the room; I thought I saw someone sitting on my chair. I immediately was frightened — who could it be, how did they get in? As scared as I was and noticing that they were not moving at all, I needed to at least turn on the lights. Now in a well lit room I could clearly see that the “person” sitting in my chair was actually just my big stuffed toy that I had forgotten I had left on my chair instead of putting it away. I even chuckled a bit when I realized how silly it was for me to have been scared. What joy and relief to have the light on to see clearly, to see things as they really are and not as I was imagining them to be. In our first reading we are told, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.” Is 9 12 The Light they experience is the light of God, his presence. In God’s light, everything assumes a new significance, its authentic and definitive meaning. In our Gospel, our first reading is once again echoed, a “light has arised.” As Jesus begins his ministry he calls on his first disciples. He assures them if they follow him he will make them fishers of men. They leave everything and they follow him. Their willingness to leave everything and follow him, makes me think they could see clearly, perhaps not with their human eyes, but with their soul. The light of God made it possible for them to see clearly this was the path they must follow. May we too see Christ’s light as clearly, for there is a joy and happiness that becomes real in Jesus’ presence. He is the promised light that has come into our midst, His physical presence. Even today we are honored with his presence in the Eucharist. In Jesus we have everything. Siempre Adelante, Tere Delgado Faith Formation Minister |
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