by The Very Rev. Donald Dustin
Friends: From the Gospel of Saint Matthew comes today’s message. Chapter 16: Verse 13-20:
Jesus asks his disciples, who do men say that I, the son of man, am? Various names were offered, but it was Simon Paul who said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded, “Blessed are you Simon, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven has”. So I have to ask all of you. Who are you?
It is now time to reflect on who we are as a People; and as individuals. As individuals many of us are sitting on the side of the road watching the world go by. Why is there a lack of interest? Why do we stand there watching as life goes by?
I realize (that) we are living in a time where speed runs our lives. We have no time for our fellow man. I ask you, what ever happened to love your neighbor? Many of us will not slow down enough even to say hello to someone who lives next door. There was a time when someone new moved into the neighborhood, when people would take over baked goods or even make a special dish and take it over to greet the newcomers. Where have those times in past years gone?
Be kind to your fellow Man, the men, the women and children. It seems like this doesn’t happen much these days. One can read in the newspapers, the TV and now Cable, this idea seems to be all but gone. What it looks like is (that) our world is full of hate, wars, lust, avarice and murder. Where did the Ten Commendments go? Does any one follow any of them anymore? It would seem by what is read and heard from our news media, not many people pay that much attention to them any longer. Now you are thinking, wait a minute. I love my neighbor, I go to church, I donate money to my church, and to many worthy causes. You are one of the small groups of people who may or may not be a part if this.
You and I are like small grains of sand on a beach, which are trying not to be washed out to sea. We struggle to keep our heads above the water. Many of us are struggling to take root and to establish ourselves as individuals, however many of us get lost. Why, because many of us do not reach out to help pull each other to safety, to guild us out of danger.
Today we are seen as numbers, not as individuals behind those numbers. Everything we do is done by numbers: Social security numbers, license numbers, bank account numbers and credit card numbers, the list goes on. What can not be tracked by numbers, to name a few are, how many prayers did you say today; how many times did you take the Lords name in vain, how many times did you lie, so forth and so on, the list can get quite long.
Many of us have more than one life. We have the life that we show our families and close friends; the life we show at work: Then we have the life we show everyone else. So often we hear, “I have a hard enough time just being me.” This is why I ask, “Who are you?” Which one did you bring to mass today? Did you bring the loving mother? Did you bring the loving father or did you bring the loving child? Which one did you bring or is it one of the other personalities that you hide behind your mask?
I have heard many times, not even soon after mass, swearing by many adults with children following their parents example: Rudeness, lack of consideration for each other, and no respect. on and on. Where is the example of love and compassion that was just heard in the sermons? What has happened to the message of “Do on to others as you would have others do on to you?”
You as an Individual have the ability to change what is happening in the world today, change the way conflicts are dealt with when they arise, pay for what you take and give help when needed: Create trust and respect, not anger, resentment and animosity which is fueling conflicts around the globe.
Remember what Jesus said to Paul about your deeds and misdeeds here on Earth shall be equal in Heaven, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven and what ever you bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and what ever you lose here on Earth shall also be lost in Heaven.”
One of the worse things in the world today, which caught my attention, is “Want”. People are starving to death in many places here on Earth, there are conflicts raging in Africa, Asia and here in the Americas; in the Middle East and places that do not make the nightly news, the droughts and famine and upheaval in all four corners of our Earth add to the misery. Daily we hear about people in need. Here in the United States and other first world countries, people throw away enough food, clothing and essentials everyday to feed and cloth all the needy peoples of the world. I ask, do we do enough to help these People? I think not, why, I ask. To many people are dying, even as I speak because of war, lack of food, clean water and basic essentials. We see children who can not withstand the brutality of their condition die in their mother and fathers arms.
I know that wars have been going on since mankind has existed on this planet. What are these wars about? It is about greed, diminishing resources and territory? Somebody has something someone else has. Unless it is freely given then for some there is a need to take what ever by force. There are many examples, now, in our time what people have done to each other and will continue to do as long as this grasping and taking goes on unabated.
Love your neighbor, and yourself; why is it that so many people do not know the true meaning of love, the real definition of the word LOVE? Why is it that there is a price tag placed on this human emotion as if it was a commodity to be sold and traded? We all have what is called heart, the capacity and the ability to love all people. In my opinion, all it takes is one person to show love and affection to others around him or her with out asking for something in return.
I was thinking that if one person shows true love, compassion and understanding to others then those people would by its very nature show the same to others, you get the idea. A lot of the wrongs done as a people and are still doing to each other could be made smaller or even done away with altogether. This can be a hard path or journey for us but by looking into your heart of hearts, all of you can begin to see the true nature of your love and compassion, the respect and admiration you have for your fellow man. When you begin to do this you will become one of the “rocks” that Jesus will be using to build his house on in His kingdom, in Heaven.
Please pray for our troops who are now in harms way, fighting away in Iraq, Afghanistan and for those stationed in foreign lands: And for those who are fighting, dying and sacrificing for us here at home. For the injured and for the healing that needs to take place, for a safe journey home for all our armed forces.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Very Rev. Donald Dustin is a Monsignor in the Diocese of Colorado. He is the director of St. Patrick Ministries in Denver.
Friends: From the Gospel of Saint Matthew comes today’s message. Chapter 16: Verse 13-20:
Jesus asks his disciples, who do men say that I, the son of man, am? Various names were offered, but it was Simon Paul who said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded, “Blessed are you Simon, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven has”. So I have to ask all of you. Who are you?
It is now time to reflect on who we are as a People; and as individuals. As individuals many of us are sitting on the side of the road watching the world go by. Why is there a lack of interest? Why do we stand there watching as life goes by?
I realize (that) we are living in a time where speed runs our lives. We have no time for our fellow man. I ask you, what ever happened to love your neighbor? Many of us will not slow down enough even to say hello to someone who lives next door. There was a time when someone new moved into the neighborhood, when people would take over baked goods or even make a special dish and take it over to greet the newcomers. Where have those times in past years gone?
Be kind to your fellow Man, the men, the women and children. It seems like this doesn’t happen much these days. One can read in the newspapers, the TV and now Cable, this idea seems to be all but gone. What it looks like is (that) our world is full of hate, wars, lust, avarice and murder. Where did the Ten Commendments go? Does any one follow any of them anymore? It would seem by what is read and heard from our news media, not many people pay that much attention to them any longer. Now you are thinking, wait a minute. I love my neighbor, I go to church, I donate money to my church, and to many worthy causes. You are one of the small groups of people who may or may not be a part if this.
You and I are like small grains of sand on a beach, which are trying not to be washed out to sea. We struggle to keep our heads above the water. Many of us are struggling to take root and to establish ourselves as individuals, however many of us get lost. Why, because many of us do not reach out to help pull each other to safety, to guild us out of danger.
Today we are seen as numbers, not as individuals behind those numbers. Everything we do is done by numbers: Social security numbers, license numbers, bank account numbers and credit card numbers, the list goes on. What can not be tracked by numbers, to name a few are, how many prayers did you say today; how many times did you take the Lords name in vain, how many times did you lie, so forth and so on, the list can get quite long.
Many of us have more than one life. We have the life that we show our families and close friends; the life we show at work: Then we have the life we show everyone else. So often we hear, “I have a hard enough time just being me.” This is why I ask, “Who are you?” Which one did you bring to mass today? Did you bring the loving mother? Did you bring the loving father or did you bring the loving child? Which one did you bring or is it one of the other personalities that you hide behind your mask?
I have heard many times, not even soon after mass, swearing by many adults with children following their parents example: Rudeness, lack of consideration for each other, and no respect. on and on. Where is the example of love and compassion that was just heard in the sermons? What has happened to the message of “Do on to others as you would have others do on to you?”
You as an Individual have the ability to change what is happening in the world today, change the way conflicts are dealt with when they arise, pay for what you take and give help when needed: Create trust and respect, not anger, resentment and animosity which is fueling conflicts around the globe.
Remember what Jesus said to Paul about your deeds and misdeeds here on Earth shall be equal in Heaven, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven and what ever you bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and what ever you lose here on Earth shall also be lost in Heaven.”
One of the worse things in the world today, which caught my attention, is “Want”. People are starving to death in many places here on Earth, there are conflicts raging in Africa, Asia and here in the Americas; in the Middle East and places that do not make the nightly news, the droughts and famine and upheaval in all four corners of our Earth add to the misery. Daily we hear about people in need. Here in the United States and other first world countries, people throw away enough food, clothing and essentials everyday to feed and cloth all the needy peoples of the world. I ask, do we do enough to help these People? I think not, why, I ask. To many people are dying, even as I speak because of war, lack of food, clean water and basic essentials. We see children who can not withstand the brutality of their condition die in their mother and fathers arms.
I know that wars have been going on since mankind has existed on this planet. What are these wars about? It is about greed, diminishing resources and territory? Somebody has something someone else has. Unless it is freely given then for some there is a need to take what ever by force. There are many examples, now, in our time what people have done to each other and will continue to do as long as this grasping and taking goes on unabated.
Love your neighbor, and yourself; why is it that so many people do not know the true meaning of love, the real definition of the word LOVE? Why is it that there is a price tag placed on this human emotion as if it was a commodity to be sold and traded? We all have what is called heart, the capacity and the ability to love all people. In my opinion, all it takes is one person to show love and affection to others around him or her with out asking for something in return.
I was thinking that if one person shows true love, compassion and understanding to others then those people would by its very nature show the same to others, you get the idea. A lot of the wrongs done as a people and are still doing to each other could be made smaller or even done away with altogether. This can be a hard path or journey for us but by looking into your heart of hearts, all of you can begin to see the true nature of your love and compassion, the respect and admiration you have for your fellow man. When you begin to do this you will become one of the “rocks” that Jesus will be using to build his house on in His kingdom, in Heaven.
Please pray for our troops who are now in harms way, fighting away in Iraq, Afghanistan and for those stationed in foreign lands: And for those who are fighting, dying and sacrificing for us here at home. For the injured and for the healing that needs to take place, for a safe journey home for all our armed forces.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Very Rev. Donald Dustin is a Monsignor in the Diocese of Colorado. He is the director of St. Patrick Ministries in Denver.
