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Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Dec 21, 2025

I Do It Myself – A Step in Growing Up But Not the Goal

“I do it myself” declares the young child as a new skill is proudly claimed. Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister – “I can do it on my own. I don’t need your help for this” is the way we older folks might express the same thought.

Sometimes we simply smile when we hear a young child express such feelings. It’s a sign of growing maturity and competency with the skills they will need throughout their lives. Other times, it can be very frustrating for those of us who must stand by and wait for the child to accomplish the task or do it less perfectly than we might like to see. After all, time doesn’t wait for anyone and sometimes we need to get out the door!

This reality struck me as I was reading some background information on King Ahaz and his response to the Lord’s work spoken to him by the prophet Isaiah. “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!”

In a world and society in which doing things ourselves is highly valued, these words seem rather admirable. Why not act responsibly and behave like grown-ups? Isn’t that what Ahaz is doing?

Well, as it turns out, that’s not what Ahaz should have been doing. Ahaz was king of Judah, the southern kingdom. Judah was being threatened by Syria and Israel (kingdoms to the north). Those kingdoms, in turn, were being threatened by Assyria. As a king from David’s line, Isaiah reminds him, he can call on the Lord for insight and help in making the decision about how best to protect his people. The Lord has traditionally come to the aid of leaders who ask for this help.

But Ahaz refused to ask.

Isaiah didn’t simply tell Ahaz that whatever he wanted to do would be all right. He spoke a prophecy – a sign the Lord would send. “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (Is 7:10-14)

The meanings of the words are important here. Emmanuel means “God with us.” The original Hebrew term used to describe the woman who would bear the child was “almah,” meaning essentially a young woman who was old enough and free to marry. When the scripture was translated into Greek, the word used was “parthenos,” which is translated as virgin.

The technical details of how it would all come to pass were left to the Lord to figure out.

Centuries passed before this promise came to fruition. By the time Jesus was born, the nation had passed through the Babylonian captivity, the return to Israel when Persia defeated Babylon, and later conquests by other regional empires. Finally, under the Roman empire, the prophecy was fulfilled.

St. Matthew described the reaction of Joseph, an honorable man who discovered that his bride-to-be was expecting a child before they were married. Shocked, he still did not want to denounce her for punishment, but he planned to divorce her quietly and move on with his life. However, the Lord’s messenger, an angel, appeared to him in a dream before he acted.

“Joseph, son of David,” said the angel, “do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph believed the angel, God’s special messenger, and took Mary into his home as his wife. He cared for her and the child born to them, loving and supporting them both for the rest of his life. (Mt 1:18-24)

Joseph’s approach was in many ways the complete opposite of Ahaz, who assumed he knew just what to do and could do it himself. Joseph accepted the word that came to him from the Lord and trusted that the Lord would be there to help. Rather than “I do it myself,” he trusted the Lord enough to go against tradition and love Mary and raise a son with her as a loving father.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, as the community of believers grew and expanded out from Israel into surrounding lands, St. Paul received a call to share the Good News with non-Jews, those known as Gentiles. In his letter to Roman Christians, Paul begins by introducing himself as subject to the rule of Jesus, the Christ, called to share the gospel, the Good News, of God with all. Though Jesus was descended from David, his power and authority stem from being the Son of God. This power and authority open to all peoples the gift of sharing in the life of grace in the new kingdom of God. He concludes his introduction with a special greeting and blessing. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 1:1-7)

Hear these words with fresh ears again today. They are meant for all of us too and echo across the ages. “Grace to you and peace.”

Although we have been encouraged to be independent and earn everything on our own, in reality, “I do it myself” is a reflection of childhood and a stage of growing into adulthood. As we grow, we are to learn wisdom as well. We learn to trust our God and Father to be there to help. We help each other and in doing so, we grow in God’s life (grace) and experience the peace of knowing God is there supporting us.

The coming of the Lord is near. We remember his birth so long ago. We remember his parents and their “yes” to God’s request of them. We listen to hear God’s request of us.

Grace and peace be with you in this time of quiet waiting for the Lord’s coming.

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent – Cycle A

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Dec 14, 2025

Still A Time to Rejoice

In the mist of world and national turmoil, it’s easy to wonder today if there’s any reason for hope or rejoicing. Nations are at war with other nations. Some nations are in the midst of civil wars. Some nations are acting as if they were formally at war, despite minimal evidence and war never having been declared or approved. It’s not a pretty picture this December.

And yet, we have reached the Third Sunday of Advent, a Sunday known as Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice Sunday. So what signs are there of hope? For what are we to rejoice?

Isaiah speaks of a promise made long ago regarding the power of the Lord coming into our world. This power isn’t manifested in massive movements of earth or great signs in the sky. It’s not found in the arrival of armies or the newest, greatest weapons available to powerful nations or warriors. It’s not met with great fanfare.

No, none of the things we usually associate with power is among the signs Isaiah tells us to watch for. Instead, “the desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.”

What? That sounds like Springtime. Here on the central coast of California, it sounds like the land looks after the first rains of Fall arrive and the birds and butterflies return from their journeys to the north. The fields resound with the chatter of the birds, telling each other of all that they have seen and all the family and friends they met in their travels. Flowers spring up. Butterflies flutter through the air.

Nothing and everything spectacular to see – is this part of the way the Lord comes?

When God comes, what will happen?

Isaiah assures us: “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared, then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.” Again, these are not earthshaking events, except to those who experience this healing, those whose lives are transformed by the power of the Lord. (Is 35:1-6a, 10)

But that was all a long time ago, some might say. Surely, when the Lord actually came, the signs would have been different. But were they?

John the Baptist came, calling the people to change their ways and prepare for the coming of the Lord. As prophets so often do, he got in trouble with the ruler, in this case King Herod, and was thrown into prison. He heard of the teaching and healings being done by his cousin, Jesus, and sent his followers with an important question. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another.” A very reasonable question. If Jesus denied being the one who was to come, then who would it be and where would he be found?

Jesus responded by reminding them of the ancient prophesies. “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” He added, “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

The Lord is acting in the everyday world of those who suffer and who are abandoned by their society, just as the prophets foretold.

Jesus went on to remind the people who had come to hear him teach that John did not come as a member of the powerful ruling elite of his country. He came as a prophet – one sent to prepare the way for the Lord. “Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Mt 11:2-11)

The kingdom of heaven – the new creation, the new reality that began with the coming of Jesus into the world. The new world of blessing he proclaimed to all.

The earliest followers of Jesus took his words seriously. The kingdom is at hand. All will be new. None will know the day and the time when all will change and the kingdom become obvious in the daily reality of human life in this world. So they lived in hope and expectation.

Centuries have passed now and things still seem to be going rather poorly among humans. We can appreciate the impatience of the early Christians who heard the words of James the apostle telling them, “Be patient … until the coming of the Lord.” Farmers have to wait for their harvest. The rains come when they will. And we too must be patient and filled with hope, because “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (Jas 5:7-10)

And so, we wait. We wonder when the wonders of the Kingdom will become the way of the world. We may even lose hope at times.

Yet Isaiah’s words, and the words of Jesus and St. James are again here to remind us. The Kingdom is at hand.

Where do we see it today? We see it in programs set up to feed the hungry. We see it in community clinics that provide care for those whose income is too low to pay for what the treatment for their conditions really cost. We see it in tutors who work with children who are struggling in school and may still be learning the language of the nation among whom they are now living. We see it in networks of people who gather to welcome and support immigrants and asylum-seekers. We see it in the quite ministry of a retired nurse who helps care for her elderly neighbor across the street every evening. We see it in children who befriend newcomers to their school or neighborhood. We see it in local and national leaders who speak up and work to establish policies that protect the vulnerable and find solutions for the challenges that are too large to be successfully handled by individuals or small communities.

The kingdom is alive and well in our communities. It is growing quietly and sometimes under the radar, to protect those in danger of harm from the powerful. But it is here. It is growing. It will not be overcome by those who seek to destroy it by force.

And so, we again rejoice. We give thanks to the Lord for working with and loving so deeply the everyday ordinary people of this world. And we do our part to build up the kingdom – one day at a time, one meal at a time, one smile at a time.

Peace be with you. Rejoice, for the Kingdom is at Hand!

Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent – Cycle A

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Nov 29, 2025

Come Let Us Climb the Lord’s Mountain

Most of us don’t live on mountains. We live lower down, where the land is flatter and living is easier. But hills and mountains are special places in our experience. It takes some effort to get up or down a hill and even more to get up towards the top of a mountain. Some mountains are easier to climb than others, but all offer a special something that leads us to them.

When we get up on the mountainside, the views that stretch out in front of us are amazing. From a simple meadow, we look down into valleys, across to broad fields or other mountains rising in the distance. The worries and concerns of the day can slip away as we see the broader world and its beauty. As we open to take it all in, we find refreshment and rest before we return to the day-to-day activities of our lives.

In ancient times, mountains were the site of encounters between God and humans. Moses was called up to the top of Mt. Horeb to receive the Law from the Lord. The prophet Elijah waited high up on the same mountain to meet the Lord, who came to him in a quiet whisper of voice. The temple itself was built on a mountain. It wasn’t the tallest mountain in the area, but it was certainly a point of focus within the city of Jerusalem because this was the place of the dwelling of the Most High, rebuilt after the exile in Babylon.

Isaiah describes this mountain, Zion, as the house of Jacob’s God. People from all over the world come to this mountain, seeking to learn how to walk in the Lord’s paths. There they will turn from war to peace, learning to “walk in the light of the Lord.”

The view from the Lord’s Mountain turns towards peace and acceptance of others, regardless of which nation is their homeland, because the Lord calls and guides all peoples. “Come let us climb the Lord’s mountain” – all are welcome and called. (Is 2:1-5)

Jesus too traveled to the mountain of the Lord, the temple in Jerusalem. He was known to pray by himself on mountains and hillsides as he traveled through the land. Yet he didn’t focus on the mountaintop experiences. His mission was to all who lived ordinary lives.

He made clear in his teaching that the kingdom of God begins here and now. It’s not something far away. Nevertheless, the day and time that the Son of Man will come is unknown. “Stay awake” he tells us. “Be prepared … at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Mt 24:37-44)

With the coming of Jesus, we have a change. No longer is God to be found mainly on mountaintop temples. God has become one of us, living in the everyday world with us. All will end one day, but in the meanwhile, look around. The Lord is here, present in each person we meet.

St. Paul reminded the people of Rome, “it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.” Salvation is near and getting nearer every day. The risen Christ will come again. It might be very soon, but that is no reason to simply take it easy and sleep away the time until then. Be awake and actively living. Move away from rivalry, jealousy, and other negative actions. Turn always to the light and live as the Lord would. (Rom 13:11-14)

Climb the Lord’s mountain and find him also on the way, along the path, through the day-to-day activities. Sometimes, those daily patterns can be as challenging as climbing a mountain. Then remember to take time out, step onto the mountain for a bit, and see the bigger picture. Rest in the Lord’s presence for a while, before returning to the everyday challenges and joys.

Advent is here. We wait for the Lord’s coming. We celebrate the promise of the Lord’s coming. We rest in a bit of quiet as the world races around us, knowing that it is in the quiet times and places that we will find him newly born in our hearts.

Come, let us find the Lord together in this new year.

Readings for the First Sunday of Advent – Cycle A

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Nov 23, 2025

Shepherd of a People – A True King’s Role

What kinds of qualities do we expect in a King? Historically, kings have been warriors. They have protected the lands they own by use of their armies and in the process the people who live on those lands were also protected. Kings have gone to war and conquered new lands. They have made and enforced the rules, including how much is to be paid in taxes by the people of the land. They make treaties with other rulers. Their children, especially their sons, are expected to follow them as rulers or warriors. Marriages between the children of the kings of different lands serve as the bonds that establish and maintain peace among them. Any who challenge the power of the king will soon find themselves punished, imprisoned, or executed. The king’s power is absolute.

Most modern monarchs are more limited in their ability to command obedience. Many monarchies are parliamentary, giving elected officials a role in making decisions for the country/kingdom. However, these reductions of the power of the ruler were not easily won and are strictly guarded by the people of such nations.

In the early years of Israel’s monarchy, the transition from one king to the next was not predetermined. The King’s son did not automatically inherit the throne. In fact, the Lord had chosen the new king for Israel before the ruler, King Saul, was anywhere near the end of his rule. Saul had not followed the Lord’s instructions and had fallen out of favor as a result. The prophet Samuel, following the Lord’s directions, selected David, the youngest son of a shepherd family in Bethlehem, to be the next king. Samuel anointed David, but the rest of the people had no idea this had occurred.

When Saul died, it took a while for the different factions among the twelve tribes to figure out who should be king of all. Eventually, they decided on David, the shepherd who had killed Goliath and played important roles in many conflicts with enemies of Israel.

Three reasons were given for this choice. First, they were related – all were descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Secondly, David had played important military and leadership roles under King Saul. Thirdly, and most importantly, the Lord had called him: “You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.”

David agreed to accept the role and was anointed formally and publicly to serve as King of Israel.

It’s important to note here, that his role was not envisioned initially as being a warrior. He was to continue to be a shepherd. From among the descendants of this shepherd, the Messiah would be born. (2 Sam 5:1-3)

Being human, David was not perfect. He made plenty of mistakes in his years as ruler and suffered the tragic results of many of them. But the original vision of the Lord was not changed. David was to be a shepherd. This was the role the Lord gave as the model for the vocation of king.

On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, we recognize and celebrate Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It’s a big title and a big deal. King of the Universe! That’s a lot more than king of any nation on earth, even a great empire such as Rome! How could a simple carpenter turn out to be King of the Universe?

God’s ways are not always our ways. Just as the Lord chose a shepherd boy to become king of Israel, He became one of us, entered into our human lives and history, as Jesus, the son of a carpenter in a small conquered nation, part of a huge empire. Over the course of three years, Jesus moved from sharing the insights he received at his baptism in the Jordan about the coming of the Kingdom of God with simple fishermen and shepherds to healing the sick, feeding the hungry, preaching and teaching the crowds who hungered for God’s intervention in their lives and the coming of the kingdom.

Many of those who followed expected Jesus to lead a revolution against the Romans. Many were not prepared to hear him speak of forgiveness and mercy. But enough did listen and follow him that the authorities became worried. What would Rome do to them all if this man led a revolution? It would not be a quiet, peaceful, solution.

As Jesus hung dying on the cross, a convicted criminal, four different images emerged of his possible role as king. First was the taunting of the rulers of the people who challenged him to prove himself God’s chosen one by coming off the cross by his own power. Second came the soldiers, taunting him. “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Again, it was a question of earthly power. The third image came from one of the men crucified with him. “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” Again, show and claim earthly power as proof of kingship.

The fourth image was accurate. The other man who had been crucified, Dismas, spoke up, chiding the first who had demanded Jesus save them all. He proclaimed, “this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he spoke words recognizing the position and power, the true kingship of Jesus. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” To this man, Jesus gave a response. “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 23:35-43)

A king is not saved by his army. A king is not saved by his horse. A king doesn’t work miracles or pull strings to save himself. A true king, an eternal king, is the one who leads with love and forgiveness, bringing others along with him. Like a shepherd caring for his sheep.

In the process, the power of darkness was overcome. Humanity received the inheritance for which we were all created – to join the holy ones in light, forgiven for our wrong choices and failures to love. The Son of the Most High has given himself to lead us into forgiveness and new life.

The beautiful hymn included in the letter to the Colossians reminds us. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation… before all things, and in him all things hold together… head of the body, the church… the beginning… firstborn of the dead… in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile all things for him…” (Col 1:12-20)

It’s a great celebration of the wonders of the gift of Jesus to all of us. A shepherd king for us all. A carpenter who listened to the Spirit’s voice, then shared that good news with us, his sisters and brothers.

As we celebrate today, may we remember who our King is. The shepherd who leads a people dedicated to care for each other, for our earth, for the universe. We feed the hungry, clothe those who need the basics, including winter coats, shoes, warm clothes. We help make sure children can go to school, people who need healthcare can get it, and those who are not able to find work they can do still have the basic necessities. Each of us has unique gifts. May we use these gifts as we follow our King, loving and protecting those in need.

Long Live Christ the King. ¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Readings for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – Cycle C

A beautiful hymn remembering the words of the crucified thief. Jesus, Remember me.

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Nov 16, 2025

When Scripture Gets Used as a Cudgel

The end of our Liturgical year grows close and we hear prophecies and warnings about how we are to live and how to prepare for the return of the Lord on the last day. Sometimes we read them and are reassured that our trials and sufferings will pass and the Lord will make everything right in the end. Sometimes, however, we read these scripture passages and apply them to social and political challenges we are facing in these particular times. When this happens, it’s all too easy for Scripture to get used as a cudgel, to judge and punish people whose lives may be more challenging than our own and whose resources are more limited.

The second letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians provides an example of this. People in the community were anxious for the second coming of Jesus. No one knew when that would be, but the expectation was that it would be soon – before the death of some who were currently living. Living as Christians in the city was not easy. There was a good deal of opposition and misunderstanding among the larger non-Christian community regarding what Christians believed and how they lived.

Making everything more challenging, visitors from other areas had come to the city as well, bringing predictions of the quickly approaching end of the world. If everything was going to end soon, then the most important thing was not to keep on earning a living and making sure everyone in the community had what they needed to live. The important thing in their view was to preach and try to bring more people to Christianity. Those whose ways might not be exactly what the new preachers envisioned were criticized by these newcomers. Some of the new visitors/preachers expected the community to provide food and drink to support them. They didn’t see any reason to get jobs themselves – they were focused on the coming of the end in a very short time!

St. Paul spoke out against this. “You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone.” In fact, Paul worked as a tent maker wherever he went. It was his trade and he worked at it quietly to support himself while he spread the Good News and welcomed new Christians into a community of faith. Each person was expected to contribute to the community in some way. Not all would be able to work and bring in money. But all could contribute something and all shared what they had.

His words are all too often quoted out of context: “we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.” These words are sometimes used today as justification for cutting food aid to families and children whose income is low, even when all adults are working. They are used to exclude people who are unable to work or unable to find work from receiving health care through the Medicaid program. They are used to justify exclusion from other social services as well. And most distressing of all, these acts are being presented as a justified action based on Christian teaching!

This is not what St. Paul was saying. It is not Christian teaching. St. Paul called on the community, especially those who had been refusing to share in the financial support of the community, to work quietly along with the others and earn the food they were eating. All are called to share the Good News and all contribute in their own way. (2 Th 3:7-12)

The really critical thing in all of this is the ancient scriptural imperative to care for those who need extra help in the community. The Lord sides with the poor, the outcast, immigrants, children, the sick, the elderly. If these folks can’t always support themselves, that’s OK. The community is responsible to help them. They do what they can. For some, such as children or the elderly, that something may be to study or to help care for the children while other adults are working. There are many ways to contribute to the common life of the community.

Jesus spoke of the end times as well. Visiting the great Temple in Jerusalem, filled with riches and offerings, he gave this prophecy: “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” This prophecy came to pass in 70 CE when the Romans destroyed the temple and forced the exile of most of the people of the land.

Both before and after the destruction of the temple, believers would be persecuted. Families would turn over their own members to the authorities. Some would be killed. Others would be tossed out of their religious communities.

It was not going to be a pretty thing for those who followed Jesus. Life would be tough. “But not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Lk 21:5-19)

Life is more than just the physical experience of our day-to-day activities. It’s ever so much more. It’s life in the Kingdom of God, which starts here and now.

As the prophet Malachi noted in the final book of the Hebrew Scriptures, “The day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire…” A frightening thing indeed! Yet there is hope for those who follow and love the Lord. “There will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.” (Mal 3:19-20a)

Moving through our lives in these difficult and uncertain times, we are called once again to work quietly for the Kingdom of God, caring for the vulnerable and gently speaking words of hope. No using Scripture as a cudgel. No excluding people whose income is low, or whose health is poor, or whose minds are not stable, or whose parents have not found high-paying work, or who had to leave their homes in search of safety and opportunity for themselves and their children!

The end of time is coming. The end of the world, not likely right away. Most of us will leave here quietly long before the world meets its end.

This week, may we remember to speak gently, to work humbly, to respect and love the Lord, that the sun of justice will rise on us each day and at the end of our days.

Readings for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C

Temples – Literal and Symbolic – Signs of God’s Presence

The temple, as a place of worship, has ancient roots. Temples are found in many ancient civilizations, serving as the place where the divine and human meet and interact. The divine being is believed to live in the temple and the people bring their hopes, dreams, and sacrifices to offer there, hoping always for the favor of the god. Yet, more than just physical buildings, temples – literal and symbolic – serve as signs of the presence of the divine among the people.

During the time of the Babylonian captivity, when the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and most of the people taken into exile, the prophet Ezekiel spoke of a vision he had received. An angel led him to the new temple. There he saw water flowing from under the threshold of the door which faced to the east. It flowed down the side of the mountain towards the south, into the dry lands along the Jordan River, including the Dead Sea and the lands continuing from there to the Red Sea. This area was known as the Arabah or Aravah, a word meaning dry lands.

The water flowing from the temple was fresh, pure water in which fish could thrive, orchards could grow, and all kinds of creatures could live. As the water from the temple entered the salty water of the dry lands, it also made those waters fresh again. (Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12)

The prophecy was fulfilled when the people of Israel returned to their home in Judea. The temple was rebuilt and remained on the holy mountain in Jerusalem until it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. Jesus, his family, and his followers all worshiped at the temple in Jerusalem and offered sacrifices there.

On one occasion early in Jesus’ public life, he visited the temple in Jerusalem for Passover. Many animals were offered for sale there by merchants who purchased them to re-sell them to the faithful for sacrificial offerings. This wasn’t a time in which transactions all happened with pieces of paper or digital code. Coins and physical objects were exchanged. Animals were purchased and given to the priests for sacrifice to the Most High. Special coins had to be used for these transactions, so money-changers also had booths in the market areas of the outer parts of the temple. It was a noisy, smelly market-like area – not at all like what we associate with a place of worship.

Jesus was outraged by the way the temple had been transformed from a place of worship into what looked very much like any other marketplace, with sellers taking advantage of buyers whenever possible. He made of whip with cords and used it to chase them all out of the temple. “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”

Needless to say, those in charge confronted him. “What sign can you show us for doing this?” He replied, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The authorities expressed a very valid skepticism at that: “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”

The words used to express the idea of temple in Greek took different forms. One referred to the entire building. The other referred to the inner sanctuary, the place where the Most High was present. The word Jesus used to describe the temple of his life and body in St. John’s account of this event was the word for the inner sanctuary. The dwelling of the Most High within him could not be destroyed – it would be raised up again.

When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, his followers remembered his words and believed the words of the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophecies that foretold his coming. (Jn 2:13-22)

Jesus’ human life became the new temple and from it, life-giving blessings would flow like the river from the temple foreseen by Ezekiel. His followers shared this good news with all they met.

St. Paul reminded the people of Corinth, “You are God’s building.” Paul laid the foundation of the Good News of Jesus, others continued the process, building on that foundation. A new community, a new temple in which the Spirit of God would dwell, arose on that foundation. He explained and promised, “you are the temple of God, … the Spirit of God dwells in you … the temple of God, which you are, is holy.” (1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17)

We are the descendants of those early followers of Jesus, called to be temples of God, the One who lives within us. The water that flows out from us to water the land takes the form of care for the poor, the vulnerable, immigrants, children, those who are sick or dying. The Beatitudes express beautifully the waters of loving care we are to send flowing into our own worlds.

Nevertheless, we are not simply symbolic or theoretical beings. We are humans, living in a very real world of very tangible buildings, roads, rivers, mountains, and so forth. We gather together in special places to share our faith and pray together. We’re all in this together, as children of God and the sisters and brothers of Jesus. We share the same Holy Spirit and we together eat the Bread of Life and drink the Cup of Salvation when we gather for Eucharist.

As early as the time of Emperor Constantine, when Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire, one church in Rome has been especially dedicated. Since 324, the Lateran Basilica has been the Cathedral of Rome. A basilica was a large, rectangular building, in which many different functions took place. It was a public area in the city near the forum and temple. The name Lateran comes from the name of the family on whose land it was built. The formal name of the church is Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist at the Lateran.

The Lateran Basilica is the Pope’s cathedral in Rome. It is outside the walls of Vatican City. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, as well as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Basilica was dedicated on November 9, 324. It has been repaired and rebuilt multiple times since then and is still in use. A temple – literal and symbolic – a sign of God’s presence among us.

As we celebrate the dedication of the Lateran Basilica today, we also celebrate that love, the waters of divine blessing, that flows from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through each of us out into our world today.

Readings for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Nov 2, 2025

The Souls of the Just are in the Hand of God

Commonly known as All Souls Day, or Día de los Muertos in our area, this day which follows immediately after the Feast of All Saints is one of special comfort and commemoration. The very first reading for the day begins “The souls of the just are in the hand of God.” It continues, “and no torment shall touch them.”

As best we can tell, only humans have a conscious awareness of the reality of death and its certainty for each person. We don’t know to what extent members of other species who gather to mark the death of members of their flock or herd or pod have an awareness of this reality. But elephants, dolphins, and other primates gather to mourn/mark the death of members of their communities. As humans, we have many ideas, fears, myths, and legends about death and what happens to those whose bodies cease to live.

One thing we do know. Not all people die peacefully in their beds, surrounded by loved ones and in no distress. Death does not always come easily. Death is sometimes perceived as having come too soon. Death has seemingly always been a tool used by powerful or angry people to punish or control others. And then what happens to those who have died? That’s not easy to verify either.

The Book of Wisdom shares some insights from Greek-speaking Jews in Egypt, collected about 100 years BCE. The author spoke words of encouragement for those who were suffering death unjustly – “they shall be greatly blessed, because God … found them worthy – as gold in the furnace.”

The great insight here is that death is not a sign of God’s anger or abandonment of those who live good lives, or those whose actions anger the rich or powerful. God is there to lift them up and place them in position to “judge nations and rule over peoples.” (Wis 3:1-9)

Jesus himself spoke a great promise, “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” And why not? Why not turn away from those who reject his teachings? Why not get hurt or angry with people and reject them as others might? Jesus explains that it’s not about him. He has come to do the will of the one who sent him, his heavenly father. “This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.” The father wants everyone to have eternal life. So does our brother Jesus. (Jn 6:37-40)

What else do we notice and celebrate on this great feast day? We are children of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We call God Father, Abba! Abba is more like Dad or Daddy as a term of affection. We have an Abba who is not looking for slaves. He wants us to use our minds, our hearts, our entire beings to reach out and witness to his love. As we do, when we meet opposition, he will remember us and be with us. He will not abandon us when the end comes to each one. We are to be free as the children of God now and when our final day comes. And even more, all of creation is sharing in this same time of growth and hope. (Rom 8:14-23)

As we move forward, may we remember all those whom we have known and loved, celebrate their lives, and trust that we will meet again in the kingdom of our Father.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) – Cycle C
Multiple readings are options for this day.

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Nov 1, 2025

A Great Multitude Which No One Could Count

The Feast of All Saints is upon us – a celebration of a love so vast it cannot be contained and overflows into all of creation, including humans of every nation, race, people and tongue. We celebrate the lives of all those who have opened their hearts to receive this overflowing love. In the Book of Revelation, St. John describes his vision of the gathering of all the Lord’s people. Those gathered form “a great multitude, which no on could count.” One hundred forty-four thousand of them – an expression of abundance based on the foundation of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Are we to take this vision literally, or is there something else going on here? If literal interpretation is selected, it’s not really a very hopeful passage! With a few billion humans alive today and countless others who have come before, one hundred forty-four thousand represents less than a drop in a bucket! So, no, this is not a message to be taken literally.

We live in a world filled with contradictions and uncertainty. Most people are doing their best to make the choice to be ethical, to do the right thing, to leave the world a better place than they found it. Most live and work in communities of family and friends, not expecting ever to make any significant contribution to human history. In fact, most have no interest whatsoever in becoming a famous ‘mover and shaker” in the world. Way too much work and not enough real fun along the way! Fame, maybe. But real, deep enjoyment of life in all its complexity? Not as easy to come by.

Those gathering around the throne of the Lamb are typically not the famous or those recognized as wise or powerful. They are described as a great multitude and are people who have plunged into the life of the Lord – “washed themselves in the blood of the Lamb.”

The Lamb of God – the one whose life is given as gift and sacrifice to bring all into that overflowing love from which all spring. And the blood? The life-giving, life-sustaining blood or life-force.

All who enter into this flowing love and allow it to flow through them as well become part of the great multitude gathered in the throne room.

The imagery is not one we often understand deeply in our worlds today. There are still monarchies and absolute rulers whose whims are law, but for those in Western or Western-influenced societies, with a voice in selection of who governs, this imagery is a bit strange. Lambs? Blood? Even the peoples whose faith experience began this way no longer relate to the image.

And yet, here it is again! A multitude gathering from all nations, races, tongues, and peoples to celebrate with the Lord of all. (Rev 7:2-4, 9-14)

How do we gather? St. John tells us we gather as the children of God – sons and daughters, brothers and sisters of Christ. Life here and now is not easy. We are still unrecognized by the world around us, but the day will come when this is revealed. The quiet lives of ordinary people who are channels of love to those around them, sharing what they themselves received from those of many generations before the, are all signs of the Lord’s kingdom. They are the multitude who come joyfully into the throne room of the Lamb. (1 Jn 3:1-3)

Is there a way to recognize them here and now? Well, yes, as a matter of fact, there is. St. Matthew passes on Jesus’ non-secret recipe:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”

“Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted,”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”

Jesus gives us all a list of the kinds of people who will make up this great multitude. Peacemakers, meek folks, those clean of heart, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (justice). These kinds of activities are not going to be welcomed in their societies. Yet these are the acts of love, the channels of that overflowing love from which all springs. The kingdom of heaven is theirs! (Matt 5:1-12a)

May our lives too be channels of love and lead to the Lord’s kingdom!

Readings for the Solemnity of All Saints – Cycle C

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Oct 26, 2025

I Thank You That I Am Not Like The Rest Of Humanity

“I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity…” These words in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector are striking. What came next? “I am a great sinner?” “I am a person who is always looking for answers?” “I am able to foretell the future with absolute accuracy?” “I always try to help everyone I meet?”

I think at one time or another, many of us have probably said something similar. “I grew up in a good family.” “I go to church every Sunday.” “I never miss a Holy Day of Obligation.” “I try to help others when I can.” “I contribute to good causes.” “I’m a good worker.” “I support my family.”

Many of us, including myself, have said things like, “I know how to make my own clothes,” or “We learned how to make soap when we were kids,” or “Buying in bulk really makes money go farther.” We set ourselves up as somehow superior in comparison to others we meet along the journey of life, even those in our own neighborhoods or country. Unless and until we experience the reality of having less income than needed to cover basic expenses, we don’t comprehend that middle class solutions don’t necessarily work when income doesn’t cover the basics. Having 12 cans of tomatoes bought in bulk doesn’t particularly help when there’s nothing else to cook along with a can of tomatoes. Knowing how to make noodles doesn’t help when there’s no way to get an egg and flour to start with. The help received in those situations, often from others who also lack the luxury of having any surplus, is truly treasured.

The Pharisee went on to explain his thinking, noting that he is not “greedy, dishonest, adulterous” or even like the tax collector he sees nearby. The Pharisee notes that he fasts twice a week and pays tithes on his entire income, not just on parts of it. He’s pretty proud of himself.

St. Luke tells us that the Pharisee “spoke this prayer to himself.” It’s an interesting phrase. Was he simply speaking quietly rather than speaking aloud or so others around would hear, or was he literally speaking to himself rather than to God?

Jesus went on to tell of the tax collector, one of the most despised members of the community. Tax collectors had to collect a certain minimum amount of tax to submit to the government in Rome. Beyond that basic minimum, they were allowed to keep whatever extra they could get out of people, their own neighbors in the community. People thought of them as the scum of the earth. Traitors to all in the region.

The tax collector stood apart from others. He knew he was not welcome. He didn’t presume to claim innocence or even assume he would be pardoned, He looked down humbly at the ground in front of him, “beat his breast and prayed, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

A simple prayer and totally heartfelt. Jesus praised this prayer. “I tell you, the latter went home justified.” The Pharisee did not. Why not? “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 18):9-14

Humility is not a loud declaration of unworthiness proclaimed with the hope others will reassure the speaker that they are indeed worthy of praise and respect. Humility is the quiet recognition that in some actions, the individual has truly done wrong and is sorry for having done so. To be humbled is to have that reality made clear through the words and actions of others. Those who have admitted their misdeeds and asked forgiveness, can be exalted through the forgiveness they receive.

A wise man named Sirach lived around 200 years before the coming of Jesus. He wrote down and shared his reflections on community, faith, families, friendships, education, wealth and poverty, worship, and many other topics of importance to both ancient and modern communities. Sirach wrote in Hebrew and his words were translated into Greek by his grandson sometime after 132 BCE.

Sirach stated clearly and firmly, “The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.” This is important. All people matter to the Lord – rich and poor alike. Yet Sirach notes, “Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.” Those who have no social status or protection are heard by the Lord. Widows, orphans, those whose needs and rights are discounted by folks on the margins – the calls for help from all of them are heard. Their cries pierce the clouds of heaven, like an arrow that flies straight to its goal. They do not rest until the Most High hears and responds, affirming what is right and just for the poor and lowly. (Sir 35:12-14, 16-18)

The tax collector would find this both disconcerting and strangely comforting, I suspect. Given the reality that he regularly was expected to cheat his neighbors in order to support himself and probably lived a more lavish lifestyle himself, it would be disconcerting. He knew the Lord would hear the cries of those who were cheated. Yet, he hoped in the mercy of the Lord for himself as well. Would it be possible to serve as a tax collector and still be an honest person? Or what would next steps be for him? Both questions remain unanswered in the Gospel, but we might want to consider them for ourselves.

The reality of the Lord’s attention to the cries of the poor, however, is not in doubt in both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. The Psalmist sings of it regularly. Psalm 34 is an example of this. “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise ever in my mouth.” “When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.” “The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.” The cries of the poor and the oppressed always reach the Lord. (Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23)

Does this mean everything turns out fine if we just have faith – money and respect will come, healing of illness, jobs and happy family life? Wouldn’t that be lovely? But would we really appreciate these gifts? We might well get to thinking that it all happened because we worked hard and did it all ourselves, followed by, “If we/I can do it, so can they …” Easy then to say, “I thank you that I am not like the rest…”

The life of St. Paul shows us differently. A tent maker, citizen of Rome, born in Tarsus, became a scholar of the Law, a Pharisee. He approved of the condemnation of some of the earliest followers of Jesus, including the first martyr, Stephen. By God’s grace, he met the risen Jesus as he was traveling to Damascus to arrest more of those heretics, the Christians. Called by Jesus personally, he became the Apostle to the Gentiles, traveling many miles by foot for many years, sharing the Good News of the coming of the Christ and of salvation for all peoples – Jews and Gentiles alike.

Eventually, he was arrested and exercised his right as a Roman citizen to be tried in Rome. In his second letter to Timothy, a young man he met in his travels who shared in his ministry, he speaks of the approach of the end of his life. His trial did not go well. He knows he will be condemned. But he speaks words of hope and conviction. “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” No one spoke on his behalf during his trial. Some friends deserted him. “But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”

Paul rejoiced that he had been given the opportunity to speak and witness to the risen Lord. He proclaimed confidently, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.” He concludes in words we share, “To him be glory forever and ever.” (2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-18)

“I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity…” or “Have mercy on me a sinner.”

Which will be our approach this week and through the days and weeks to follow? How will we live as children of a just God, who hears the cry of the poor? How will we “see” the needs of those around us? How will we respond?

May we remember that all we have is a gift. We haven’t gotten where we are by ourselves. Our families, our friends, other people we have never met and will never meet. All have given of themselves to make the society in which we live, with the advantages we enjoy.

Now it’s our turn to pass it on. Our turn to reach out with a smile, a helping hand, a kind word, a listening ear, a decision to forgive, a choice not to judge.

May we bless the Lord at all times, remembering that we are not above all others in holiness, nor are we loved more than others by the Lord. We are all loved and together we share this love with all we meet, sharing together on the Lord’s team to care for the poor and the oppressed whose cries are heard by the Lord.

Readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Oct 18, 2025

Keep Trying – Advice for life and prayer

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” We hear this saying so often as we grow up that we often stop paying attention to it. A roll of the eyes, a shake of the head, a shrug of shoulders – so many ways to tell the one who has spoken these words to us that we don’t really want to try any more. But “keep trying” is generally not bad advice. So many things we need to do or want to do require persistence. Babies have to keep trying to learn to sit up, to crawl, to stand, to walk. We have to practice to learn to speak. Just about everything about being a human being requires some sort of practice. Only a smile or a happy laugh seem to come naturally. They are among the most welcome things any of us ever give or receive.

Trying in an Ancient Conflict

In the years between the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their entry into Palestine, there were forty years of traveling around the Sinai Peninsula and lands east of the Jordan River. There were already people living there and sometimes conflicts arose.

At one point, Amalek led an army against the Israelites. Moses recognized that Joshua was a natural leader in defense of the people against other warring groups, so he had Joshua choose the men who would join in battle against Amalek. Moses went to a hilltop nearby to pray for God’s help and support in the battle. He raised his arms over his head in prayer.

While Moses’ arms were raised, the battle went well for Israel. But he couldn’t keep his arms up in the air unsupported for very long. Whenever he lowered them to rest, the battle shifted and Amalek’s forces gained ground.

Fortunately, two other men were there with Moses. They found a rock on which he could sit and then each stood beside him, helping him hold his arms up in prayer. They did this for hours, all day long, until at last the battle was won by Joshua and the Israelites. (Ex 17:8-13)

Moses had to keep trying, and his friends helped make that possible. It was a community activity.

A Widow Keeps Trying

Sometimes we wonder if our prayers are heard. In hard times, we may wonder if God cares or if we should keep trying. Jesus gave us a story to help us understand.

Widows in Jesus’ day were among the most vulnerable people. They had no real rights. Women’s identities were based on the men in their family. First their father, then their husband, and eventually, their sons. Once a woman was married, her father was no longer responsible for her. If her husband died and she had no adult sons, she was on her own. But there were no real jobs or careers for women, so poverty and insecurity were their lot.

So, here was Jesus’ story. A widow had a claim for justice and went to the local court to claim her rights. The judge at the court was not an honest man. He ruled against her and in favor of her opponent. She brought the case again, and again he ruled against her. This happened repeatedly. Finally, the judge had had enough. He decided the only way he was going to get this settled was to rule in her favor, lest she eventually find a way to hurt him.

Jesus pointed out that because she kept trying, she eventually prevailed in the case, even against an unjust judge. How much more likely, therefore, was it that God would hear the prayers of his people. God, the just one, would come to help those who call on him. (Lk 18:1-8)

Does this mean that whatever we ask for will be granted? Well … if it’s something that is good for us or for the community, then yes. If not, then something else may be God’s gift of a response to the prayer.

The important thing is to keep praying, to continue to trust that the Father cares and is looking out for us. Keep trying. Keep hoping. Keep loving.

A Worthy Goal

Jesus’ teachings about the importance of prayer and persistence were rooted in Hebrew tradition and Scripture. We Christians sometimes think of Scripture primarily in terms of the writings of the followers of Jesus. But for Jesus and his followers, Scripture was the tradition of the Hebrew people – the stories of how everything came to be as it is now, as well as the history of their nation. The Law, the teachings of the prophets, the wisdom learned through the ages – all were/are part of Scripture.

St. Paul reminded Timothy of the wisdom learned from the Scriptures. This wisdom is the basis for teaching, guiding, even reproving (scolding) those whose actions are not in line with the Father’s hopes and dreams for us.

Paul notes, “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it.” Point 1 – The validity of sources of teaching and information from humans matters!

He adds, “… from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation…” Point 2 – Scripture becomes a source of wisdom for us from infancy.

Scripture, inspired by God over the centuries, provides the background truths that we now bring to our own ministry of teaching and witnessing to the Good News through our good works and care of others. (2 Tim 3:14-4:2)

What then are we to do with what we have heard and learned from our teachers (such as Paul) and Scripture? We are to “be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient” in sharing it with those we meet and with whom we interact.

Keep Trying – Convenient or Inconvenient

Today we too are called to be persistent in our prayer, in our actions, in sharing and living out what we have come to believe. God who is love calls each of us to love and care for all the rest of the people with whom we live. This isn’t just caring for our immediate family, our extended family, or those who share our ethnic, cultural, or national identity.

When our leaders fail to care for or target the vulnerable, we are called to speak out.

When access to housing, education, nutrition, healthcare, safety is restricted to only certain groups of people in our communities, we are called to speak out.

When those with lower incomes are treated with less care or consideration in public places or in businesses or schools, we are called to speak out.

When those whose names sound strange or foreign to us and so we treat them with scorn or dismiss them as illegals, therefore criminals and not worthy of common courtesy or legal human rights, we are called to speak out.

The Psalmist cries out to us in the voice of the poor and the oppressed, “I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8)

This week, may we be ones who speak and act on behalf of the poor and the oppressed. May we be among those who count on the help of the Lord and share the gifts we have been given for the good of all.

Keep trying – in life, in faith, and with confidence that the Lord hears the cry of the poor and comes to their aid.

Readings for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

And more thoughts from several years ago.

Posted by Dcn. Randy Pozos on Oct 13, 2025

Ten Were Cleansed, Were They Not?

Our first lesson in morality is the one we hear as infants. “Say thank you.”

We say thank you or thanks all the time to recognize someone’s effort to help us, to do us a favor, or to give us a gift. The favor, the gift, or the patient explanation is something that is the personal expression of the giver. This is called reciprocity. It is an exchange. I will give you something and in return you will give me something. It is something that we learn as infants. It is a commonplace experience, and we are reminded to do it as children. If we forget to do it, we hear. “Say thank you.” Even in old age, we can mimic the tone and voice of the speaker of those exact words.

Those two simple words mean that we acknowledge not only what the person has done for us, but we acknowledge who they are as people. We acknowledge that even though they may be serving us as part of their job, they are extending themselves. If clerks or online businesses treat us rudely our finger immediately hovers over the one-star rating. If we are especially irate, we hit the nuclear launch button and write a flaming review and send it out to the universe via the internet

We turn a tube of lipstick into a ballistic missile because not only has the other party not fulfilled their part of the social contract – they have not given us what we wanted, they have not acknowledged our dignity and worth as people. At a minimum they don’t even see us as paying customers.

When I got my first paper route at age 12 – Yes, there was a time before digital media – my father gave me some important advice. The customer is always right. It struck me as strange because I knew that people could not be right all the time. My Mexican Catholic father never explained this Buddhist koan. When I looked up to question him, I got that look of “Don’t ask.” As a novice paper boy, I had the additional pressure of wearing my Catholic school uniform and being evaluated by the all-seeing eyes of my mother’s large extended network of family and friends.

The life lesson I learned from this is that people want to be seen. They want to be heard. They want to be validated. People would sometimes complain if I left the paper on the top step as opposed to putting it on the welcome mat. Tossing it without the right aim and not enough force could land it on the steps, or God forbid, in the flowers. Too much force and a little too high would slam it against the screen door. With wooden screen doors the sound was muffled. But aluminum screen doors like the one at the convent made quite a crash – like pots and pans battling each other. I discovered this one day when the paper sailed into the door while the sisters were at afternoon prayers. The consensus was that I would grow up to be a nice young man if they didn’t choke me to death first. Needless to say, it only happened once.

Even though I was never good at math, I did learn the other side of the equation. People said thank you. I was surprised to get cards and candy on holidays. I even got cakes on my birthday. One lady paid me in advance every month since she had a very serious heart condition and she knew that she could die suddenly. One day the house was all closed up and there was dust on the porch. A neighbor came up to me with an envelope. It was a final thank you.

Most of us observe these social niceties because we know what our mothers would say. More importantly if our mothers have gone to their eternal rest, we can expect a lightning bolt from upstairs if we are rude.

Even though most of us are not trolls under a bridge, we can often commit serious levels of rudeness and invalidating the other person in our personal lives. We routinely say thank you to our spouses, our children, and our parents as part of social courtesy. Do we really recognize them with a deep appreciation? Do we see them as gifts in our lives or are they just an irritation, an inconvenience? Are they people we take for granted like comfortable recliners? Do we appreciate a clean house or a nice lawn. Do we really think that Harry Potter house elves take care of our most essential needs?

On the Road with Jesus

Often, we think of Our Lord Jesus gliding along the roads of Samaria and Galilee. His halo is bright; his clothes have just come back from the dry cleaners. His disciples are gathered around him in glowing adoration. We get this notion from the beautiful art that is a great part of our legacy over 2,000 years. We see the life of Christ from the standpoint of his resurrection. We are shielded from the horror, the gore, and the blood of the crucifixion when His glory is eclipsed but also revealed. Despite the comfort of the resurrection, we would do well to get a sense of the life of the Jesus of history without the halo and with pushing and shoving followers who weren’t sure of exactly what He was or who He was. We then see followers who later denied Him and deserted Him. They had a profound lack of appreciation and gratitude.

St. Ignatius tells us to put ourselves in the scene of Jesus healing the lepers. Israel at the time of Jesus was a lot like the East Bay hills. It was dusty and dry. If you have gone hiking you know about the dust, the sun, and being thirsty. They walked with callused feet and sandals and had no boots or gear from REI or Patagonia. Unlike us Jesus and his disciples could not retreat to air-conditioned RV’s and energy drinks. Who are we in this scene? Are we skeptical disciples looking for the next miracle? Lepers? Are we one of the women looking after Him? The women who won’t deny or desert him. Are we, his mother? Do we feel the danger and apprehension of going through Samaria a place hostile to Jews because the Jews had destroyed their temple? Bandits frequent this place.

As we approach the safety of Galilee near a village a greater danger comes out of the brush. Burned by sun, with suppurating pustules, driven out of their homes are ten lepers – 9 Jews and one Samaritan. They had to keep their distance and cover their faces. Everyone pulls back and covers their noses from the stench They leave Jesus in front. Occasionally, when people recovered from leprosy, psoriasis, or severe rashes, they could present themselves to the priests who could declare them cleansed and they could re-enter society. We wonder how strange this is. He doesn’t cure them but tells them to do the impossible – because the priests would not receive them unless they were cleansed. They certainly would not receive a Samaritan. From our standpoint in the scene, how do we feel? What do we see?

We continue our journey and a short time later one of the lepers comes running back. He is barely recognizable. He is healthy and whole and throws himself at the feet of Jesus in profound gratitude. The others never show up. We often think that Jesus was irritated or disgusted, or at least above it all. We never consider that he might have been hurt. He extended himself to his own people and to one outsider. He sacrificed himself. We know that he often was exhausted after a day of healing and that he slept on the ground.

The scene ends and we resume our daily routines. Do we take this time with Jesus and lepers with us? Do we give thanks for our blessings? Do we begin our prayers with praise and thanksgiving? In the Eucharist, which means thanksgiving, we offer profound thanks in, with, and through Christ. We are the Samaritan who came back.

Gospel for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Oct 11, 2025

Who is Clean Among Us?

Who is clean among us? What does it mean to be clean? Does it matter? Does it have anything to do with physical cleanliness?

Here’s a somewhat related question – Which bodily organ is the largest? The question is sometimes asked in Biology or Anatomy classes. Typically, people identify one or another internal organ as the largest. However, the correct answer is skin.

Our skin is actually an organ and as such both protects the rest of our body and can be an indicator of overall health or of stress. Our skin can also become infected with/by many different critters, most of whose actions produce a visible change. Sometimes, infections begin at the surface and move inwards – things like an infected pimple. When the protective barrier of the skin is breached, through a cut, scrape, puncture or something similar, infections move inside much more easily.

In ancient times, much less was understood about the cause of infections and the role of the skin. However, it was known that some conditions could be spread by contact. Since there were no treatments for them, those who were infected were often forced to leave the community.

Hansen’s Disease, a.k.a. Leprosy, was one of those conditions. Today we know it is caused by two types of bacteria and it can be treated. In the past, there was no treatment. As the condition progressed, people’s skin became discolored, nerve damage caused loss of feeling in hands or feet, so injuries could lead to loss of fingers or toes, as well as disfigurement of the face or other areas of the body. It was a terrifying disease. Those who contracted any skin condition were assumed to have leprosy and banished from the community. They lived off by themselves in small groups of fellow sufferers and called out a warning to any who approached – “Unclean!” Only a fool would come closer and risk contracting the disease!

The requirement for isolation of people who had skin conditions is encoded in the Mosaic Law. Conditions that caused blotches, itching, sores, or other non-normal appearance of the skin were called leprosy. Not all would have been the disease as we define it today. Some conditions, including eczema, rosacea, vitiligo, or psoriasis, cause changes in the appearance of the skin but are not actually leprosy. Yet any of them could be sufficient to make the person ritually impure – unclean. Anything outside the norm, as understood by the people of the day, was believed to be unclean and therefore to be shunned.

An Army Commander is Healed

Naaman was a commander in the army of Aram, a neighboring country that was trying to take over parts of Israel in ancient times. An Israelite girl who had been captured and taken as a servant for Naaman’s wife told him that Elisha the prophet in Israel would be able to heal his leprosy. With the permission of his king, Naaman traveled to Israel and asked Elisha for healing. Elisha told him to go to the Jordan River and plunge into it seven times and he would be healed.

Fortunately for Naaman, he accepted Elisha’s word and went to the Jordan where he plunged into the water seven times. When he had done as commanded, his skin was healed completely.

Naaman was so grateful that he and his retinue returned to Elisha to thank him. He recognized that the healing was from God but he wanted to give Elisha a generous gift in thanksgiving as well. Elisha, however, would not accept anything. The healing had not been his doing. It was the work of God.

Then Naaman requested something else – “two mule-loads of earth” that he could take back to his home and spread there. As he explained, “I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord.” (Understanding the Lord as a local god of the Israelites, he believed it necessary to worship on soil from the Lord’s land.) (2 Kings 5:14-17)

Isolation, Healing, Gratitude

The isolation of lepers continued into Jesus’ time and beyond. It’s only been very recently that we have learned its cause and have a way to cure the condition. But for thousands of years, this was not the reality of life.

As Jesus and his friends traveled from Galilee on their way to Jerusalem, they met ten lepers near a village. The lepers called out to him, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” It was known that he could heal many conditions. Maybe he could help them too?

Jesus didn’t have to ask what the request meant. They were hoping for healing. He responded, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” In order to be readmitted to the social community, they had to be certified as Clean by the religious authorities – their skin had to have been returned to normal appearance.

The lepers set off to present themselves to the priests and along the way, they were healed. They were now clean, free of the condition that led them to be unclean.

One of those cleansed, upon realizing what had happened, returned to thank Jesus, praising God for this gift. Jesus was happy to see him but asked, “Where are the other nine?” All ten had been cleansed. Only one returned and that one was not a Jew. He was a Samaritan, a foreigner, one of a people despised by Jews for centuries. The rest had all been Jews, but they didn’t come back. Was it because they considered it a given that they would be healed? We’ll never know, but it’s worth asking. Jesus certainly wondered. (Lk 17:11-19)

Who is clean among us? What does that really mean? Whom do we accept as worthy of respect, kindness, welcome? Whom do we assume belongs and whom do we assume should be shunned and turned away? Who are the lepers of our day?

Does It Matter Who is Clean?

St. Paul reminded Timothy that although he himself was at that point a criminal in chains, “the word of God is not chained.” All that Paul and the followers of Jesus must bear because of their choice to follow Jesus is worthwhile, as a witness that will draw others to salvation through Christ Jesus. Whether his followers are faithful to his call in their lives or not, God is faithful to us, “for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14)

We are called. We sometimes fail to choose the way he leads. But he remains faithful to all of us and to his call.

Will we continue to care for those deemed unclean by our society, by political leaders with their own agenda, by people who fear newcomers or that those from other lands are the cause of their own difficulties in life? Whom will we accept as clean? Will we be clean ourselves if we reach out in loving service to those deemed unclean? What does it mean to be clean today?

As we reflect on the healing of lepers in Scripture, may we remember that there are both physical and spiritual levels of health and illness. Sometimes we are called to deal with both. Sometimes, our actions should be directed and guided more by the figurative meaning of the words and concepts we use.

This week, may we notice with compassion the sufferings of those around us, many of whom suffer in silence or in fear. May we offer a kind word, the gift of understanding of the complexity of life, the patience to wait and find out what they really need. Is it something practical like a blanket to keep them warm at night? Is it a smile that says, “I see you and treasure your presence?”

May we remember always that Christ is present in the least of the people of the world, from wherever they have come. There is something each brings to us, adding richness to our lives and asking only patience and kindness in return.

Who is clean among us? Are we ourselves clean?

Readings for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C
(More thoughts on this here.)

And a wonderful song from Miriam Therese Winter of the Medical Mission Sisters – Ten Lepers

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Oct 4, 2025

Guard This Rich Trust

What do we treasure in life? Is it something physical – a book, a ring, a coin, a photo? Is it something less tangible – a song, a view, the sound of the waves, the touch of a hand, a smile? How about something even less tangible – a dream, a vision, a hope for the future, a shared set of values, a divine promise? How do we guard the rich trust of the hopes, memories, and dreams we have received.

I suspect most of us treasure many things in life. Our treasure chest is filled with both physical items that remind us of past people and joys as well as the intangible gifts and memories accumulated over the years of our lives, however many those may be. We all have treasures of one sort or another. Treasures we guard and protect, some of which we hope will go with us into eternity.

Some treasures are more difficult to hold onto than others. Probably the most difficult treasures to retain are the ones that are intangible, things like protection of the common good or the rights of all people rather than just the rights of the powerful. How can a people or a nation commit to protecting the rights of all and still be able to command the loyalty of the wealthy and powerful? When those in power refuse to protect the vulnerable, how are the rest of the people to respond?

These kinds of questions are not new to our day. These same kinds of issues are seen again and again in histories of civilizations and in the scriptures of religious communities, including our Judeo-Christian tradition. Are they out of date? Is it foolish to keep hoping? Do God’s promises mean nothing?

Habakkuk – Faith in Troubled Times

Social and political unrest were rampant in the time before the conquest of Israel and Judah by neighboring kingdoms. Habakkuk spoke to the Lord in the days after the northern kingdom had fallen to the Assyrians and before the southern fell to the Babylonians. “How long, O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen!” Everything is going to pieces – as the contemporary saying goes – to Hell in a handbasket! Destruction, violence, strife, clamorous discord – all are raging in the kingdom.

The Lord answered Habakkuk with words of reassurance, but no promises on the timing of their fulfillment. “The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint.” It may not happen as soon as you would like, but “it will not be late.” There’s a time when it will flower. Meanwhile the just ones will live because of their faith. Those who wait faithfully will one day be vindicated. (Hb 1:2-3; 2:2-4)

So how long do we have to wait? Why can’t we just receive a huge dollop of faith that lets us go out and convert the world – to create a world of justice and hope for all?

The Mustard Seed – Faith in Bloom

When his apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, he reminded them of a mustard seed – a potent, spicy seed that is quite small. Yet a mustard seed grows into something much larger. A mustard seed also brings a spicy flavor much larger than its size would suggest to foods into which it is cooked. Jesus told his friends they only needed faith the size of a mustard seed to produce major results.

Faith is powerful. It can move mountains of obstacles to the hopes and dreams of the Lord. It takes the faith and strength of workers who might be about the size of a mustard seed in their faith in order to move those mountains. But mustard seeds are powerful and mountains can be moved.

Faith – Guard this Rich Trust

Jesus encouraged his disciples to remember that just as a servant is expected to keep serving even after a day of work, without the master’s praise or thanks or notice, so the servants of the Most High are to keep working for justice and the coming of God’s kingdom. We keep working, not for praise but because of the promise towards which we aim. (Lk 17:5-10)

In our lives and ministries, we are called like Timothy “to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.” When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive gifts of “power and love and self-control.” We go out and share what we have seen and learned of the Lord and his promise. We are not broken by threats from those in power or by hardship. Paul wrote to Timothy while he himself was a prisoner, soon to be condemned for his work spreading the Good News of the Resurrection.

Paul’s words are ones that call to us too! “Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.” (2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14)

Guard this rich trust. Hold on to hope. Hold on to love. Hold on to kindness. Hold on to the dream of equality and opportunity in our communities. Hold on to the wonder of many ways of being and living as humans in this big world – the tremendous richness and diversity of human culture and experience.

This week look around you. See the wonder of creation, the wonder of children, the wonder of older people, the wonder of seasonal change, the wonder of new learning, the wonder of family life at its best, the wonder of nations hoping to work together for the common good of all peoples in the world.

Some of these visions are blurry just now. Some seem in danger of being wiped out.

Hang on. Guard this rich trust – the promise and gift of the Lord. A vision that still has its time and will not disappoint is worth patient trust and confidence.

Readings for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C

And another story about a mustard seed!

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Sep 28, 2025

Whom Do I Choose to See?

When we leave our homes and go out into the wider world, we encounter a lot of other people, unless we live as hermits alone on a mountain somewhere. People are all over the place – in some locations more densely than others. In response to this density, we often learn to be selective regarding whom we choose to see. Whom do I choose to see?

The ability to feel comfortable and safe varies from person to person and situation to situation. Our sensitivity to the emotional “vibes” of others around us can also vary, but most of us have at least some ability to sense when another person is happy, sad, tense, etc. We call that quality empathy and value it as a positive feature.

Those living in cities have more frequent contact with other people than those living out in the countryside or in small towns. Nevertheless, our ability to befriend and enter into deep relationships with those around us is not unlimited, so we develop smaller circles of friends and family. Those outside these select circles remain basically unseen and unheard. We go about our lives, blithely unaware of the struggles and joys of those whose opportunities and struggles differ from our own. This is true both of those with more wealth and those with less.

Lest we think this reality is something new and unique to the times in which we live, we have the witness of ancient prophets to enlighten us.

The prophet Amos, in the years before Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, warned those with wealth and power in no uncertain terms that their focus on their own comfort and enjoyment of the good things of life was not acceptable to the Lord. It was totally contrary to the Lord’s demands through the centuries that the needs of the poor and vulnerable members of their communities must be seen and addressed. Their lack of willingness to see the needs of others or even to choose to see those others was fundamentally unacceptable. “Woe to the complacent in Zion! … they shall be the first to go into exile…”

As Amos warned, the enemies to the north eventually invaded and destroyed the homes and comfort of those who had looked only to their own wealth and pleasure. More than just the loss of wealth and privilege, these people were taken into exile far from home and forced into labor for the conquerors. They lost everything. What a hard way to learn about the importance of seeing the hardship of the lives of the poor and doing something to help! The words of Amos warning of the Lord’s displeasure with them must have rung woefully in their ears as they were taken away in chains. (Amos 6:1a, 4-7)

The Lord Sees

Jesus too warned of the dangers of an exclusive focus on the enjoyment of one’s own wealth in life. The wealthy man in his story didn’t notice the presence of a poor, ragged, beggar outside his door. The beggar, named Lazarus in the story, was just part of the scenery. How he got there, where he had come from, who he was, what he might have become in other situations – none of these questions entered the mind of the rich man. He didn’t even see Lazarus. Lazarus was as much a part of the scene as the building across the street, the trees down the road, or a shepherd out in the field nearby. He was not noticed. His plight did not matter. If he did notice, the rich man would have assumed it was the fault of Lazarus or his parents that he was now a beggar on the streets.

But the Lord did see Lazarus. He also saw the rich man. And the Lord noticed. The Lord chose to see. The Lord can’t help but see.

When the rich man died, according to the story, he was surprised to see Lazarus being comforted by Abraham, father of the rich man’s own people. Lazarus was experiencing love, acceptance, consolation, all good things. And the rich man was in torment. He wished for something as simple as a drop of water to quench his thirst, but none was forthcoming. So, he asked Abraham for help. “Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue…” He saw Lazarus, but only still as someone who could do something for him personally.

For better or worse, it was impossible for Lazarus to help the rich man. Not that Lazarus would have refused to do so. Quite likely, Lazarus would have given comfort and a drop or more of water to the rich man. As a general rule, folks who have little give much more help to each other than they receive from those with much. But the boundaries that had been set by the rich man in his life were now the reality in which he had to remain.

The rich man still had one hope – maybe Lazarus could help his wealthy brothers to avoid the same suffering after their deaths by returning to warn them of the consequences of not seeing the suffering of others among the living. But Abraham sadly noted that the prophets had spoken of this very issue for centuries, only to be ignored by those with wealth and power. They would not change, they would not be persuaded “even if someone should rise from the dead.” (Lk 16:19-31)

Whom do I choose to see? How am I as a follower of Jesus to walk among the people in the world around me?

Timothy – Pursuing Righteousness

St. Paul reminded his friend and disciple Timothy what it means to follow Jesus. Paul addressed Timothy as a “man of God,” a term used in Hebrew scriptures to refer to Moses and the other prophets. Timothy (and the rest of us) are to “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” These are all qualities that are a necessary part of life in the Lord’s kingdom. They are to be the signs and trademarks of our relationship with those we meet in our daily lives. They are prophetic signs for our world. (1 Tim 6:11-16)

Whom do I choose to see? The original question remains.

Do I open my eyes to see the person sitting on the sidewalk asking for a handout? Do I smile at the person stocking the shelves at the grocery store? Do I notice and respect the privacy of the child who is very shy and hides behind a parent? Do I smile at the parent, expressing with my smile my understanding and acceptance of them and their child?

The Vision of Peace and Justice

We live in a world filled with strife. Wealth and power, as so often happens, is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and families. They are used by people seduced by power to force their will on others. They are a weapon that allows prosecution and persecution of those who oppose them. When wealth and power get concentrated, the needs of those who have limited access to either get trampled. Wars begin as one nation tries to subjugate another. Those seeking more wealth and power take advantage of the conflicts to line their pockets. And basic human rights and needs are trampled as being of little or no importance!

Again the words of Amos ring out. “Woe to the complacent…”

The Lord’s demand that the needs of all people be addressed has not gone away. Saving money on a regional or national level by taking away access to food, education, shelter, healthcare, pathways to asylum and legal status, and the basic freedoms of speech, assembly, religion, voting, and so forth does not turn a people into a nation blessed by the Lord. No ethnic, racial, or national group has an exclusive call on the Lord’s favor. No level of financial success is needed before the Lord cares. Only those who are open to all and provide hope and the help needed for all people to live with dignity and safety meet the call of the Lord.

Whom do I choose to see? It’s a personal challenge. Each of us will meet the Lord, “live and in person,” when the end of our days comes. Whom will we find already there, embraced by Abraham, embraced by the Lord when that moment comes? Will we be among those who, unburdened by the weight of wealth to which we have clung, can race joyfully into those loving arms? Will we find welcome from those among the vulnerable poor whom we have chosen to see and reach out to help? Who will be there to welcome us?

May this week bring peace, joy, and an increasing openness and courage to see as the Lord sees and then act on behalf of his dearly loved sisters and brothers here and now.

Readings for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C

See more thoughts on this topic?

Posted by Kathleen Brewer de Pozos, PhD on Sep 21, 2025

Treasuring Imperfections and Creating Something Wonderful

Fruit harvest time brings an abundance of sweet flavors. Peaches, cherries, plums, pears, apricots – so many varieties, each with its own cycle of life from spring through fall. Each variety has its expected season, with a few short weeks being the prime time for the best of the crop. Even within that time, some of the fruit ripens earlier than the rest. The key to success in home canning lies in treasuring these imperfections and creating something wonderful with them.

When a box of fruit is ripening, it’s not unusual for there to be several cups of fruit that is past its prime when the majority of it is ready to put into jars and process. That overripe fruit is great for making jam. It is typically soft and very sweet. There’s a recipe for each variety and several types of additions to make the final product – pectin, sugar, spices, lemon juice and so forth. Once the jam is cooked, it’s fun to spread a little bit from what is left in the pan after the jars are filled and spread it on crackers. Jokingly, this is called “Quality control testing” as the sweet flavor is enjoyed for the first time in the season.

The prophet Amos spoke boldly about the offenses of those “who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land.” He told all who would listen, “The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done!” (Amos 8:4-7)

Among humans we also see a variety of responses to the Lord’s call to love each other. Almost like fruit that ripens over a period of time, humans need time to grow and mature. Along the way, we see folks who look out only for themselves and don’t hesitate to take advantage of others.

It’s not all right to trample or essentially throw away those who are not strong or “perfect” like a ripe piece of fruit. Those are the ones specially loved, treasured, protected by the Lord. The kingdom of God is filled with those who recognize their need and their gifts, then reach out and help others whom they meet along the way.

St. Paul reminded Timothy to pray for everyone, and especially for those in positions of authority. Quiet, tranquil living conditions make it much easier to live with dignity and devotion to God. To the extent that all seek to respect and work with each other, the community will grow and come to know the truth of God’s presence and activity in the world through Jesus. (1 Tim 2:1-8)

Jesus himself once told a story about a steward who was responsible for managing the business affairs of a wealthy man. This steward was not above taking an extra share of everything for himself and eventually, the master realized what was going on. He called the steward and demanded a report of what had been happening. He informed the steward that he was no longer going to be employed as steward, but he didn’t fire him on the spot. He gave the steward time to put the report together.

Interestingly, the steward didn’t despair. He developed a plan – something he could do to ensure his survival once he lost his position. He called those who owed his master money and had them modify the loan documents to reduce the amount they owed the master. In this way, the steward assured there would be people willing to help him survive once he became unemployed.

Of course, this is a totally dishonest thing to do. It’s somewhat like the piece of fruit that is overripe and not fit to be served on its own. Something has to be done and, in the case of the steward, that something was rather like making it into jam or a sweet dessert. The master was impressed by the steward’s creative solution to his dire situation. He didn’t give the guy his job back, but he recognized the creativity.

Jesus did not recommend to his followers that they follow the example of essentially stealing from the employer, but he noted the common sense of the dishonest employee in making connections that would make possible his survival.

Jesus then took the story a bit farther. He advised his followers to take the resources they have at hand and use them to make friends too. What kind of friends? Friends who are not able to fend for themselves, the ones the Lord historically always called on the Jewish people to protect and help. The wealth that matters is that which comes from God, and it is the wealth that is to be shared. This wealth typically looks different than the money we earn and use for living expenses. This wealth is the goodwill and support given to others. As we give this and practical help for meeting the needs of daily life, we receive more of the “true wealth” of the love of God. (Lk 16:1-13 )

This week, as we move through our daily activities and deal with the conflicts and challenges of our community and world today, may we keep our eyes open for the opportunities to treasure imperfections and create something wonderful in our world. May we reach out in love and respect to those we meet. May we be patient with those who are less able than we to make a way through life. May we keep our words gentle yet strong as we talk with those whose positions are different than our own. May we keep our ears open to hear the concerns underlying the words and actions of others, allowing the possibility that something wonderful might be able to develop and grow through the imperfections we all bring in our lives.

The Lord is known for treasuring us with all our imperfections and working to create something wonderful through our lives. Here’s to the sweet jams and jellies of lives transformed through love!

Readings for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C