Happy 4th of July
With all and any of its faults we are blessed to live in the USA where we are free. Free to choose inclusion and diversity and , yes , independence and interdependence! Free to be you and me. Free to love our God and our fellow human beings!
YES , Happy Independence Day!
The Eleventh Commandment: Reflections of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest
Is it enough to adhere to the Ten Commandments? Is that all that is required to live a life of virtue and goodness? In saying “all that is required” I am aware that that “ALL” is a lot right there. And not many people can say they do follow the letter and spirit of the Law given to Moses and to all who seek to love God, the Supreme Being and Creator of the Universe.
Today’s Gospel (Mark 10: 17-27) tells us about a person who does follow the Commandments, and who inquires of Jesus about gaining eternal life as well. What follows is an important response of Jesus as this event appears in all three synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke). Some (most) Biblical translations call the one who inquires of Jesus a man (NAB), an important man-a rich ruler (Christian Community Bible) (Also Matthew 19:16 and Luke 18:18) or a young man (NIV; CCB). The King James Version (KJV) simply says “one” ran up to him and asked and The Inclusive Bible (TIB) version says “someone came running up ” and “a person” inquires of Jesus. Given the latter two it is possible that it was a woman who ran up to and inquired of Jesus though given the mores of the times it was probably a man. The important fact is that someone asked Jesus a very important question. A question that we ponder deep in our souls-the essence being- “Am I on the right track?” How do I please God? And how do I inherit eternal life?”
“As he was setting out on a journey, someone came running up and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?” (Mark 10;17 TIB). Jesus responded by citing several of the ten commandments. The person assured Jesus that he(or she) kept the commandments.
Then a wonderful thing happens “Then Jesus looks on the person with love and said “There is one more thing that you must do. Go and sell what you have and give it to those in need”; (to the poor in most other versions) “you will then have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow me”.
I want to emphasize that Jesus’ response was to love this earnest seeker who tried hard to keep the Commandments. I hope the inquirer felt that great love as Jesus looked at and spoke to him or her. What a gift to be looked upon with love by Jesus for our fumbling inquiries-for our seeking. Clearly Jesus welcomed this good person’s seeking however off the mark it may have been. Jesus looked on the person with love. And he instructed the person how to love others to usher in God’s kingdom-kin-dom on earth and forever. Share your “wealth” with the poor. Yet, we often rush to the next sentence: ” At these words the inquirer who owned much property, became crestfallen and went away sadly.”
SO, wait, don’t go away! Indeed it is difficult for us to share and give away our “riches” to those in need, to the poor. Instead many of our ideologies blame the poor and focus on giving the very least possible to meet religious expectations of “charity”. Yet, charity is CARITAS, which is love. And Jesus said give it all away- not give the least you can, or of your surplus. Jesus clearly challenges us to do something about the poverty that is all around us- and to me that is the ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT! . Do not make it metaphorical, help people who are struggling with material and other poverty directly and fully. There are many ways to do this through bonafide charities if one is not in actual community with the poor-but only doing it in the spirit of love meets what Jesus is asking us to do. Give yourself away…and give the poor amongst us more than enough to live on and flourish on-so they are poor no more. Indeed make community with people who do not have enough to live on, or who have just enough to get by. Let us find ways to make community with the poor. Then we are rich indeed.
Yes, the point is that we must actually share our wealth of all sorts with those in need and make sure the poor are poor no more as we do our parts in relieving this poverty- both material and otherwise. The world is complex and sharing our money and material goods as individuals will not change the class and caste systems that societies are made up of. Yet, if all who seek to follow Jesus actually do this, the worlds around them would change dramatically. And someone will eat who is hungry, and be properly clothed when seeking a job, having the confidence that comes from looking okay, and someone homeless will be housed and indeed help the next one to climb out of poverty. That has been our wonderful experience with our Good Shepherd Ministries here in Fort Myers. We are given SO much more than we give and all can become givers.
We can not close our eyes and ears to world poverty and poverty in our own communities. Instead we can learn to open them to understand the lives of those who “have not” as much as those who do have material goods. Indeed we will learn how true riches comes only through sharing all that we have with others. Yes, Jesus said that “it is hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23).
Yet, when the disciples were perplexed and astonished by this Jesus assured them that “with God all things are possible”. (Mark 10:27). This is the good news not only for the richest among us who may not initially see or respond to the poverty of those who have little or nothing of this world’s goods. It is good news for all of us who may tend to put our own selfish needs before the needs of the “kingdom”-the KIN-DOM of God. In these passages Jesus is defining God’s reign , God’s kin-dom as one of equality and enough for all. Let us then do our best to make sure no one is hungry or homeless-let us make community together and that community is the essence of the kingdom-kin-dom of God here on earth and in the life to come. Indeed Jesus promises that he is sent to us because of God’s great love and “whoever believes in him shall have everlasting life!’ (John 3:16). We see here that believing means doing what Jesus shows us and asks us to do: to respond to his love by making sure everyone has enough to eat, and can live abundantly-thereby ushering in the kingdom-kin-dom of God.
Yes, indeed “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” even as WE work at making sure no one is poor and in need of food and shelter as long as we can help it.
Blessings to each and all of you as you try to follow Jesus,
Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP, Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida
May 27,2004
The Advocate: Reflections of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest
In this week’s Gospel readings Jesus physically leaves the disciples but sends the Holy Spirit to remain with them. (John 14-17 and Mark 16). He is sending the Holy Spirit- The Spirit of Truth and the Advocate to be with them always (John 14:6). The disciples are lost at his physical leaving and still have to learn what the Presence of the Holy Spirit can and does do. Through the Advocate we who follow Jesus will be able to discern what is right and just, and have the strength to do what is needed to work for justice and right. At the same time he commands the disciples, to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature”. We can do this only with the strength, inspiration, support, nudging, and guidance of the Holy Spirit within and all around us.
How blessed are we to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to do what we never could do on our own. We consider today’s world with its divisions and polarizations, its immense possibilities for both right and wrong, and its every day choices that make a difference. We must pray for the guidance and presence of God’s Holy Spirit Whose essence is Love to help us discern and do what is right and just, and ultimately loving. This ranges from every day living decisions to decisions on what is Christ-like in the wider arenas of life- including the political arena. Jesus prayed that we will be consecrated (made holy) in God’s spirit, in the spirit of Truth, and not in the spirit of this world that so often has little to do with love or truth. ( John 17:11-19). How do we bring the Spirit into every decision we must make and discern right in every choice given us. My cousin recently asked me how can Christians support a political candidate who is untruthful, almost hateful of immigrants and other groups, and clearly narcissistic ? I did not have an answer beyond their following one statement or promise to the neglect of all else that is right. Her question is a good one for all to consider.
An excellent example of a person seeking and following the leading of the Holy Spirit to develop services and housing for homeless people, both in Hartford, Connecticut and Fort Myers, Florida is the story of Rev. Judy Beaumont. Her story is in several places but most fully in “The Courage to Love and Serve: The Life Story of Rev. Judith Ann Beaumont–A Roman Catholic Woman Priest and A Saint For Our Times” by Judith A. B. Lee, 2020, Outskirts Press, Inc.
My prayer is” Our loving God, fill us with Your most Holy Spirit so not our will but yours is accomplished. Help us to discern when we are acting in the spirit of this world, in the spirit of self and power, and not in Your Love. Help us to support what is right, just and loving in every arena of life.” Amen
Blessings to All who seek to Know and Do God’s Will,
Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP
5/8/2024
For God So Loved The World
First Mary of Magdala and the women, then Simon Peter and John witnessed the empty tomb of Jesus. “ Finding the empty tomb made Jesus’ followers…confused….Only when the disciples experienced the risen Lord did the meaning of the empty tomb become clear. The stone was rolled back not so Jesus could get out, but so we could get in and be assured that his tomb of death will remain empty forever. He is risen!” From The Living Christ p. 314) Today on this beautiful Easter Sunday may you experience the risen Christ and know that He Lives! And because He lives we too shall live now and forever!
Blessings and prayers for your truly happy Easter, Pastor Judy Lee,RCWP Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida
These words of Joan Chittister remind us that while deaths are inevitable they can be “gateways to resurrection.” May we have new life this Easter!
Our Hymn of Grateful Praise: Reflections of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest
We are so blessed in South Florida to have flowers blooming year round. This morning my friend John Hancock sent me pictures he took of the flowers on his lanai in Naples. They are so beautiful that I just had to pass them on. And add some that are just outside of my window. Of these flowers, John said “…they are loving the cool nights and pleasant sunny days. Makes me happy to look at them.” And they lift my spirits and make me happy too so I am hoping they will bring you some joy as well. I believe that they are a hymn of grateful praise to our loving God.
There is an old hymn that fills my heart as I see them-“For The Beauty of the Earth” by Folliot S. Pierpoint, Music, Conrad Kocher, adapted by William H. Monk:
“For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies: Lord of all, to you we raise This our hymn of grateful praise”. (Note: the Roman Catholic version of this line reads “This our gift of grateful praise”. Indeed, it is a gift to our loving God, and to those we love, if we remember to say a heart felt thank YOU! Let us jog that memory within us of the love and beauty that is all around us and has been over the years, and will be forever. And let us respond: Thank You , God!
Thank you, John for your exquisite pictures.
And the little ones below and the lovely orange one live on the side of my house.
“Fort the beauty of each hour, Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flow’r, Sun and moon and stars of light…Lord of all to you we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.”
The above picture was painted by my mother many years ago and lives forever on my living room wall. There is beauty that lives on forever-that is how I think of my mother who had many struggles but was so beautiful inside and out, and saw only beauty in the world.
“For they joy of human love, Brother,sister,parent,child, Friends on earth and friends above: for all gentle thoughts and mild: Lord of all to You we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise….”
For Your-self, O Gift Divine To our world so freely giv’n, For that love from which will shine, Peace on earth and joy in heav’n”, Lord of all, to you we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.” Alternate last line, from Methodist Hymnal: “For that great,great love of thine, Peace on earth and joy in heaven: Lord of all, to You we raise This our hymn of grateful praise”.
Amen!
“Lord of all, to You we raise, this our gift of grateful praise!”
In thanksgiving and love, bless you,
Pastor Judy Lee, RCWP
The Good Shepherd Community in Fort Myers, Florida
2/20/2024
Thankful for Love: Reflections of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest
Meister Eckhart, the famous theologian said “If the only prayer you ever said was “thank You, that would be enough.” And, James Martin in his book Come Forth! notes “Gratitude is one of the gateways to the spiritual life. It reminds us of our ultimate reliance on God. We can do nothing without God’s help. Being grateful grounds us in that reality”( (2023:p.273). Indeed what I am most thankful for are the many ways love is shown to me and demonstrated all around me. I am thankful for loving and for being loved. I am most thankful for God’s love all around me.
I don’t know whether it is good to set a special day aside to remember to be thankful for the love that abounds in each of our lives. Such thankfulness could also be a natural ongoing response to the caring of family and friends, and even to appreciating the love God has shown in giving us this beautiful world. Every time I look at my little lake that abounds with such a variety of God’s creatures throughout the seasons I feel thankful. When I walk outside to fed the birds and ducks I feel so thankful. When my pets show their affection to me and to one another I am thankful. When friends and family reach out to me and to one another I am thankful. But next week we have St. Valentine’s Day and that has become a time to remember romantic love. I am still amazed and ever so thankful to have such love in my older years. Yet, sometimes because of its narrow connotation people who do not have such love in their lives may wish St. Valentine’s day away rather than celebrate it. For me, this day is about gratitude for all of the love in our lives without distinguishing one from the other. So it is a day of thankfulness for love in all the ways it can be expressed and lived. Hence it IS a holiday for everyone.
It originally was a Christian feast day that honored St. Valentine who was a martyr persecuted under the Roman Empire in the Third Century. But, later in the 14th and 15th centuries it became associated with romantic love and flourished in that after the eighteenth century fueled by a commercialism that exists to this day. Yet, it is good to remember that originally it celebrated the loyal love of Valentine, also seen as the Saint of Spring’s arrival, for the God he served. Ultimately it evokes the question: what love are you thankful for?
I recently adopted a senior dog, 13, who is starting his life over with me as his working family could not be home with him enough. He reminds me of how we can adapt to love and to be loved at any age or stage of life. His sweetness is amazing considering the changes he has been through in his life. His essence is love. And because of his gentleness the kitties easily accept him which is also amazing.
I am so thankful for all of the loving beings and beauty in my life, past and present for all together I am filled with love.
And most of all I am thankful for God’s great love to me and to all of us and all of creation . The gifted writer Edwina Gately captures this love beautifully in her poem “Let Your God Love You” in her Psalms of a Laywoman, 1999:p.. 159.
“Let Your God Love You.
Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before Your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
that is all.
God knows.
God Understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love.
And only wants
to look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.
Let your God–
Love You. ”
Let us contemplate God’s great love with thanksgiving this St. Valentine’s day and every day. And see the difference this makes: feel loved, be loved and love!
Amen and may our Loving God continue to bless you,
Pastor Judy Lee, RCWP
Good Shepherd Ministries of Fort Myers,Florida
February 10,2024
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