Lent 2015: Second Scrutiny Litany from March 15

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

The Second Scrutiny: (Cycle B) The Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2014

Response: Christ in me, arise

From the darkness of indifference to strangers…

From the darkness of impatience to our children…

From the darkness of manipulation in our relationships…

From the darkness of overt pride and selfish attitudes…

From the darkness of self-centered power and blatant control…

From the darkness of sexism and racism…

From the darkness of sarcasm and mockery…

From the darkness of food addiction and self-hatred…

From the darkness of bigotry and prejudice…

From the darkness of past mistakes and uncertain futures…

From the darkness of put-downs and outbursts…

From the darkness of poor body image and negative choices…

From the darkness of always needing to judge other people…

From the darkness of compromising our lives and talents…

From the darkness of devaluing ourselves…

From the darkness of stereotyping other people…

From the darkness of not taking risks…

From the darkness of keeping our eyes cast down in shame…

From the darkness of wicked things and not living the gospel…

From the darkness of not seeing miracles and beauty…

And from all evil…

Fourth Sunday of Lent 2015: Jean Vanier and L’Arche

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Jean Vanier founder of L’Arche

“Live as children of the Light.” (Ephesians 5, from the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Cycle B)

Each year, the Templeton Foundation gives a large monetary prize to someone who excels in life’s spiritual dimensions. This year’s winner, Jean Vanier, received $1.7 million.

I invite you to read more about Jean Vanier receiving this prestigious award. Jean is profoundly wise and a true religious leader in our day. Jean Vanier has created nothing short of a miracle for people with emotional and mental disabilities. His community, L’Arche is world wide. He believes and can testify that community heals. We must hold on to this insight with hope for our future. His voice is profound, loving. His mission is to restore relationships from all the divisions of the world. He will be officially recognized in May for his life and life work.

If you read nothing else on this Lenten journey, ( I know I say that a lot!) make sure you read and listen to these interviews. We need such wisdom. We need people to lead us. We need to enter into the truth of God’s love and plan for us all. We need to stop our judgements about people, about ourselves and listen with our emptiness to the power of God’s love for us. We need to seek the light that God gives each person and then become instruments of peace.

Click here to read and listen to his interview, “What does it mean to be fully human?”

Click here to listen to Krista Tippett and her interview with Jean Vanier. Don’t miss it!

Click here to read an interview from Religion and Ethics.

Click here to read more about the Templeton Foundation.

Click here to read more about L’Arche USA

The Independent sketched the beginnings of his life’s work:

Mr Vanier left the Navy in 1960 after almost drowning. He went to live in Paris to think, and write, about the meaning of life. A Dominican priest, Thomas Philippe, took him to see a mental institution near Meaux, east of the French capital. “I was horrified,” he recalled. “There were 80 people living in a building meant for 40. They were subjected to terrible violence.”Mr Vanier bought a house in the village of Trosly-Breuil near Compiègne and invited two men from the institution to live with him. “People with mental disabilities have been among the most oppressed and humiliated,” he said. “They were called idiots. But these are beautiful people.”

On The Margins – John 3:14-21

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Listen to “On the Margins”. This broadcast comes from KBVM 88.3, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest. This gospel calls us into reflection on the cross of Christ. God wants the best for us. We must not settle for anything less than God. Lent invites us into Light. Lent invites us to be restored in Christ. Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2015.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/On%20The%20Margins%20March%2015%202015.mp3]

Stream live On The Margins on KBVM 88.3FM on Saturdays at 8am and Sundays at 8am.

Pope Francis: Second Anniversary

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Pope Francis washing feet on Holy Thursday

Today we mark the second anniversary of Pope Francis’ election as pope. Let us pray for Pope Francis and the Roman Catholic Church on this day, that we may become instruments of God’s mercy in the world, that we may follow Christ as people of non-violence and peace, and that we may be challenged by the Holy Spirit to witness hope in our ever changing and complicated world.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

Click here for an article from Catholic Relief Services on his outreach to the poor

Click here for an article from Time magazine on his leadership style.

Pope Francis will spent part of his second anniversary hearing confessions at Saint Peter’s. Here is part of what he said yesterday about confession:

Every penitent who approaches the confessional is sacred ground to be cultivated with care and attention

Vatican City, 12 March 2015 (VIS) – “The Sacraments, as we know, are God’s demonstration of closeness and tenderness towards humanity; they are the concrete way God created to move be closer to us, to embrace us, without shame for our limits”, said Pope Francis this morning as he received in audience in the Paul VI Hall the participants in the annual Course on the Inner Forum organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary. “Without doubt”, he continued, “among the Sacraments, it is that of Reconciliation that best shows the merciful face of God. We must never forget, either as penitents or as confessors: there is no sin that God cannot forgive! None! Only what is hidden from divine mercy cannot be forgiven, like those that hide themselves from the sun cannot be illuminated or warmed.

Rev. Malcolm Boyd, Episcopal Priest and Civil Rights Leader, dies at 91

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Rev. Malcolm Boyd, dies at 91

I learned last week that another civil rights leader has died, Rev. Malcolm Boyd. He was an an actor and writer and later was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. He was a prolific writer who produced over thirty books. I am privileged to own two autographed books from the remarkable man. I met Malcolm in Los Angeles about ten years ago through another Episcopal priest friend of mine. I spoke with him a few times and he was always so supportive of my writing for publication. As our country remembers the march on Selma this past week, we have lost another public figure who stretched out his faith into loving witness in the world. He marched there fifty years ago. God bless his soul.

Click here for his obituary from the New York Times

Click here for a short video on his life. This is a wonderful interview.

Click here for the obituary in the Washington Post

Lent 2015: Suicide rates for rural youth

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“Tender Life”
Charcoal: Ronald Raab, CSC

Let my steps be guided by your promise; may evil never rule me. (Psalm 119, The Entrance Antiphon for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent)

During the Lenten season we face the deep suffering of our lives and of people struggling beyond measure. I want to add to your reflection for this season people who cannot carry their cross of suffering, especially our young people. Here are two important articles on the reality of suicide among teenagers. Please pray for our next generation and the hope that all will find God in the midst of their loneliness.

Click here for a new article on suicide rates for rural youth.

Click here for an article from the Center of Disease Control.

Lent 2015: First Scrutiny Litany from March 8

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Scrutiny: March 8
Sacred Heart Church

“Christ in me, arise”
March 8, 2015

First Scrutiny Litany for 2015 (Cycle B) (Text: Ronald Raab,CSC)

The Third Sunday of Lent, March 8, 2015

Response: Christ in me, arise

From the corruption of self-pity and apathy…

From the corruption of self-loathing and inner pain…

From the corruption of self-sufficiency and mistrust…

From the corruption of heartache and loneliness…

From the corruption of jealousy and resentment…

From the corruption of bitterness and confusion…

From the corruption of wrongdoing and insult…

From the corruption of rudeness and disrespect…

From the corruption of slander and scandal…

From the corruption of guilt and shame…

From the corruption of disgrace and ruin…

From the corruption of fear and isolation…

From the corruption of sin and division…

From the corruption of pride and envy…

From the corruption of malice and greed…

From the corruption of alcohol addiction and self-satisfaction…

From the corruption of indifference and impatience…

From the corruption of consumerism and materialism…

From the corruption of sex addiction and instant gratification…

From the corruption of mistrust and empty love…

And from all evil…

Lent 2015: “The Hidden Face of Drug Addiction”

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“Hidden Face”
Painting: Ronald Raab, CSC

Athirst is my soul for the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? (Psalm 42)

Drug addiction is often hidden behind the faces of lovers, spouses, friends and neighbors or even our children. Our own faces may conceal such addictions. This addiction corrodes relationships, rips love apart and separates families. I have learned from addicts across the country that the only thing that heals such addiction is a deep, honest and profound relationship with God. Seeking the face of God is a life-long project for those in the trap of such addiction. The hidden face is destructive and hopeless, a life of secrecy, self-hatred and shame. Only the face of God heals. God’s love is available to us.

In this Lenten season, I invite you to pray for and learn more about those of us who suffer from such addictions. We may very well become the face of God as we reach out to other people. Addiction knows no boundaries of relationships, or status or education. Please reach out to people who need you during this Lenten time. Learn more:

Click here to learn more about drug addiction.

Click here to learn more about substance abuse in high schools.

Click here to learn about addiction and faith-based recovery.

Third Sunday of Lent 2015: “Respect for our elderly”

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“Respect”
Painting: Ronald Raab,

The gospel today is about the cleansing of the temple, (John 2:13-25). Jesus is angry that the house of prayer is not respected. Jesus himself becomes the new temple, the new place and cause of worship. His own body will be destroyed in death and risen for us, for the redemption of his people and forgiveness of sin. We are called to respect our human lives since we now bear the name of the Body of Christ here on earth. Today, I invite you to ponder the rich lives and stories of our older members of our communities.

Pope Francis challenged us this week to respect the elderly, to cleanse our negative opinions especially about people who age without good health, without adequate money for housing, food and healthcare. Here is the article from the Vatican:

Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis urged his followers at his weekly prayer on Wednesday to show affection and respect for the elderly, saying they must not be treated as “aliens”.

“It’s a mortal sin to discard our elderly,” said the pope, seen by his supporters as a champion of the poor and marginalized.

“The elderly are not aliens, we are them, in a short or in a long while; we are inevitably them, although we choose not to think about it,” he told 12,000 followers gathered on Saint Peter’s Square.

“A society where the elderly are discarded carries within it the virus of death,” said the 78-year-old Argentinian pontiff.

The pope said that while life expectancy has increased in recent decades, old age is treated like “an illness to be kept at arm’s length”.

He warned his followers: “If we do not learn to look after and to respect our elderly, we will be treated in the same way.”

Click here for another article on the lack of respect for the elderly.

Click here for another good article on why we disrespect the elderly.

On The Margins – John 2:13-25

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Listen to “On the Margins”. This broadcast comes from KBVM 88.3, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest. Jesus cleanses the temple and shows us that the real place of worship will be in relationship with him, the Body of Christ. This new relationship with Christ prepares us for the resurrection. Jesus cleanses us in order to receive the Father’s love . Third Sunday of Lent, March 8, 2015.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/On%20The%20Margins%20March%208%202015%20LENT.mp3]