Podcasts

Outrageous!

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Have you ever heard news that seemed outrageous, audacious, mind-blowing? Surely you have. How did you react?

Well, that’s just what the people heard when the disciples told them of Jesus’s love for them—so much love that He suffered and died for them on the cross. But more, that He rose from the dead. And by our faith in that saving act, we may have eternal life with Him in heaven. Truly – outrageous, mind-blowing!

We know from Acts 2:37 that the people were cut to the heart. Mortified, they asked, “What are we to do?” What are we to do?

St. Peter tells us. Repent! Repent means to change our ways. Repent means that we are to live our life in such a way that we make a positive spiritual and material mark on everyone around us.

Do you believe that God loves you so much that He suffered and died on the cross for you? How does that truth change you? Do you acknowledge that God gives you everything? Everything you are and all that you have are gifts from God. Do you receive them gratefully and manage them well? Do you share them in justice and love with your neighbor? Do you need to make any changes?

It is the generous sharing of our resources that makes us a part of something bigger than ourselves (2Cor. 8:4). Giving of ourselves gives purpose and meaning to our lives and brings us closer in our relationship with the Lord. So, repent. Change. Be more giving, more forgiving, more loving, more merciful, and more generous.

Kindness and generousity bring us the truest sense of joy, peace, and contentment that we seek.

Being kind and genorous is the best legacy we could leave.

                                                                                                                                                                             Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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A “How-To” Manual for Everyday Living

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Have you ever thought of the Bible as being a “how-to” manual for everyday living? Maybe we should. We know from Hebrews 4:12 that the word of God is living and effective, sharper than a two-edged sword.

This Sunday we heard from the disciples on the road to Emmaus, how when Jesus interpreted the Scriptures to them, they were in awe. They said in Luke 24:32, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” It obviously changed their lives.

When you hear the word of God, do you believe? Do you acknowledge the authority of God’s word in your life? Does your heart burn with awe and conviction when you read the truth in the Bible and hear the Gospel at Mass? Do you let it change you?

Did you know we read through the Bible over the course of a three-year cycle? It’s one of the many wonderful things about being Catholic. And those readings are published for us to follow along. Easy access to our “how-to” manual for everyday living.

So, please take time to read the Bible every day. This is how we get to know of God’s love for us and what He wants us to do. Read the Bible before going to church. Listen to the proclamation of the Word at Mass. Let it transform your legacy–the way you live and leave your mark on your loved ones and the community.

St. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

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Divine Mercy

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

On Divine Mercy Sunday we read in Acts 2:44-45, “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.”

Oh My Goodness! Can you imagine? Look at the example these disciples set. They heard the good news of Jesus’s resurrection. They believed and trusted. When they encountered the promises of the resurrection, they willingly sold assets and gave for the common good of all. What a great demonstration of detachment from material goods. What a legacy of faith and trust! 

They gave and trusted that God would provide for them. They trusted God’s divine mercy and showed mercy by caring more for the needs of others than for their own. They were not coerced. In their joy over the good news of the resurrection, they couldn’t help it. They were more concerned with giving to the needs of the community than for their own financial comfort. That is a radical departure from common economic practice – then and now.

We know that living our Christian faith is counter cultural. The foundation of that is the mindset we as stewards embrace—namely, the truth that “It’s Not Mine.” Everything is a gift from God. Every moment of time, every ounce of talent, and every dime of treasure we have is because God gives them to us. We are to receive them gratefully, develop and manage them well, and use them for the good of all. In gratitude and with utmost humility, we are to return them with increase to the Lord.

What might our community be, what would our world look like if we all lived this way? What would your legacy be if you lived and gave in such radical faith?

When you do, how do you decide how much to give, and to whom? Look for charities that serve the poor and most vulnerable amongst us by feeding, clothing, housing, educating, and helping. Give to them.

St. Basil the Great said, “The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat hanging unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it.”

            Give in service to those most in need. Give because It’s Not Your Money.

 

 

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God Willing to be Humiliated

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Palm Sunday kicks off the great paradox of Holy Week. Can you imagine God, the omniscient, omnipotent Creator of the universe, the source of all we are and all we have (you know – God!)  willing to be humiliated in front of you? But that’s what He did:

  • He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a stallion, the gallant horse of a king.
  • Crowds were cheering him on and singing “Hosanna in the highest.” But at the end of the week that same crowd would yell, “Crucify Him.”
  • The people wanted Him to be king and take His seat on the throne. Instead, he got a crown of thorns and was nailed to the cross. And then He wound up in a tomb.

But, Jesus knew who He was. We read in Philipians 2:6-8 that, “though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. He was willing to be humiliated. He did this for you. He did this because He loves you. This is part of His legacy.

Stewardship, like Holy Week, is also a paradox. It is striving to be like Jesus, living counter-culturally, living courageously, giving sacrificially. It is regarding others as more important, looking out for their interests ahead of your own (3-4), It is humbly submitting to God’s will and being obedient to His word. That creates our legacy.

What will your legacy be? How can living stewardship help you go deeper in your relationship with Jesus. What would your life look like if you tried to live as He would wish: humble, other-centered, self-sacrificing, and generous?

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Keeping Faith in Futile Situations

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

How do you keep faith in situations that seem futile? I mean, look at what’s going on in our world: wars in Iran and Ukraine, ICE now deployed to airports, a college kid shot just walking across campus with a friend. World peace and brotherly love seem improbable at best if not impossible.

But so did Lazarus being raised from the dead seem impossible to Martha. Still, Jesus told her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” Do you believe you will see the glory of God? What would that look like, what would the glory of God look like for you?

Even with today’s sometimes AI generated and often one-sided news reports, I believe we can see God’s glory all around us. I find it in the joy and laughter of three-year old leaping into her daddy’s arms, in the beauty of nature, in the high-school choir singing for the poor and hungry at the St. Joseph’s altar, and yes – I see God’s glory even in difficulties.

Bring your concerns to God in prayer and lay them at the foot of the cross. There, receive His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Know and believe that God loves you and blesses you. Humbly acknowledge your gratefulness for all of your blessings. Praise God and give Him glory and honor. He is worthy of your praise.

So, how do we see the glory of God today? Like Jesus said to Martha – believe. Jesus told Thomas, “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” (Jn 20:27). He tells us that, too. Trust Him. Love Him. And love your neighbor. St. Vincent de Paul said, “Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.”

                                                                                                                                                                      Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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