Paul the Parent

Photo by Luis

On the day after our newest grandchild made her entrance into the world I had a revelation. As I read this reflection from Praying with Saint Paul, I had a vision of Paul as a parent. I don't think I ever thought of him like that before ( and only now probably because parenting is an immediate and timely subject for me). And in that light I see him as a stern but loving parent. And I realized that as I read this. I have always thought of him as teacher, preacher and example, but not as a father. Amazing! And so I share it with you.

Zeal for Souls
by
Father Gary Caster

Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may
be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in
the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom
you shine like light in the world, as you hold onto the word of
life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not
run in vain or labor in vain.
(Philippians 2: 14-16)

The affection Saint Paul has for the Philippians reveals the true nature of zeal for souls. He know his life to be so inextricably bound to theirs that he cannot possibly imagine "the day of Christ Jesus" apart from them. Because Paul cannot think of or envision his own relationship with God apart from the Christian community he runs his life for others, seeking to build up the children of God according to the same word of life that changed his own. Paul encourages the Philippians to do the same because he encountered this word of life in a man whose flesh and blood perfectly communicates the Presence of the Mystery that is God. Paul is pleading with them from his heart, trying to persuade them according tot he truth which is also in theirs. His singular concern and the effort of all his labors is that the Philippians will faithfully adhere to Christ, "without grumbling or questioning," because trust is the hallmark of Christian discipleship. Paul knows that if they trust, if they hold fast to Christ in the act of following him, their lives will "shine like Lights" and become beacons of hope for the rest of the world. Paul has seen for himself and can testify how the very light of the Son of God radiates from those who labor according to God's wishes, serving him with gladness and freedom of heart. Paul knows that Christ has not left the world, but remains present through his Body, the Church, in an active vital way. The hope for any generation lost in the perversions that result from the disorders of sin is to be reborn as sons and daughters of God. To remain "without blemish" is truly possible to the extent that one remains open to the Word of life and continues to explore what Christ makes possible in the act of following him.

Heavenly, father your zeal for us is revealed in the life, death and resurrection of your Son. Let my heart be consumed by this same zeal so that others may come to know and experience what I have found in you.

~~*~~*~~

It is worthwhile then, to reflect as parents and grandparents on the lessons of Saint Paul, the concerned father of children entrusted to his care. And so when we want to "grumble or question" perhaps looking to the lessons of Saint Paul, we can best be reminded that trust in the Almighty and his goodness and generosity will bring us into the Light of Christ. Maybe we should look to Saint Paul when trying to improve our parenting skills.

Father Gary Caster is a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, IL. He is Catholic chaplain of Williams College in Massachusetts and the author of Mary, in Her Own Words: The Mother of God in Scripture.

Thanks be to God!!

From the Blue Book...

Thought I would just send this along. Just because I didn't know all about the designation 'til I read this. I really have a lot more to learn about our history and traditions. ( It has probably been explained to me on a number of occasions from the good sisters to a homily at Mass but I just didn't "hear" it until now.)

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Today's feast has had many themes over the years.

It is the feast of Mary, the Mother of God--celebrating the title that was controversial in the early centuries. The question was: Although Mary is the Mother of Jesus, can she be called "Mother of God?" The Council of Ephesus in 431 declared that she could, and the feast of Mary under that title has been celebrated ever since.

Today is also the Octave of Christmas. It has also been traditional to celebrate the naming and circumcision of Jesus on this date, for Luke says that it was eight days after his birth that Jesus fully became a member of God's chosen people.

In recent years, today has also be designated as a day of prayer for world peace.

And, of course, today is New Year's Day.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
~Luke 2:19~

Studies have indicated that New Year's resolutions are not always effective. We try to make too many of them and we don't think them through or prepare for them very well. They don't have roots.

Taking a cue from the Gospel, instead of making resolutions, maybe we should think of making reflections. For example, where is my life moving?

The Gospel says that the shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem where they found Mary, Joseph and the infant lying in a manger. There is movement here. The shepherds moved toward Christ.

My life has a movement to it, a flow. Life is never inert, standing still. I can direct my life, or I can let it drift, but I must never have the illusion that it is standing still.

Where is my life moving?
Toward God...or away from God?
It's definitely moving in one direction or the other.

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

For the free will He has given me to make the "move", thanks be to God!

***

As an aside. Was anyone else surprised by the revelation that, not
until his circumcision did Our Lord become a member of the "People of God"?
Just as we become children of God through baptism, so Jesus became part of
the race He chose to be His people through the covenant sign of circumcision.

***It never occurred to me! WOW!!***