PAX ET BONUM: Fr david Berger

As we celebrate the presentation of the Lord and we hear the words of Simeon, "light for revelation to the gentiles," I am reminded of a story, true story of 4 chaplains during WWII. Their courage and valor continue to remind us our role, our mission. We bless the candles today so that we might remember that we too must give light. What gives light must endure burning!

David is caught red handed as they say. He tries to cover up the truth. His devious and treacherous ways are about to be exposed. He commits murder. What put David in this awkward and sinful reality in the first place?

JEsus ask some pertinent questions in the gospel. One that is most intriguing is "who are my mother and brother?" How do we understand the answer to this question JEsus gives us. Grace is thicker than blood.

Mark Twain surmised that using the almost right word as opposed to the right word is very different; it is as different as being hit by alighting bolt or a lightning bug. We too must weigh our words carefully but more importantly our lives. Both have tremendous impact.

Here are a few words by Archbishop Chaput, his homily for the closing mass at the national day of prayer for life. I hope you find in it inspiration.

Often times as teachers we doubt whether or not our students are learning anything. We wonder if it is even getting in their heads. Sometimes we wonder if any one is home, as we recognize those blank stares on the faces of those in the room. We forget our job is to plant seeds and trust that one day germination will occur. We see this in David as we continue to journey through the book of Samuel.

THere are moments in our life unlike the rest. Sometime in our life we will encounter the opposite of what we expect or desire. Sometimes we will deal with negative experiences or situations. These too are grace.

Jesus asks the question, "is it lawful to do good on the sabbath or to do evil, to save life or destroy it?" What is the evil that he speaks of in this passage and how doe sit relate us? We explore these words in light of pro life movement. What is the choice we have ultimately?

What ranks higher Sacrifice or Obedience? What is our mission statement in regards to our life and our future? Does God have a mission statement for us?

I have been asked many questions by first graders in my tenure as a priest. None have been so striking as the I heard this past week. On the play ground a first grader came up to me and asked, "I do I forgive someone."How dow e forgive? What does this have to do with a lamb anyway.

What do we want for our children? We want happiness. How can we ensure that happiness for them the entire span of the unknown future that lies ahead. We cannot. So we bring them to the one who can. This is what the baptism of the Lord reveals to us.

Of what are we afraid? More importantly why do we fear? we encounter these words today from St. John, "and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love." Is it true? But can our love ever be perfect? No! But can we trust HE whose love is perfect? That is a more important question? Lest examine it for a moment.

We encounter Jesus multiplying the loaves and the fish. St Mark gives us his perspective as we journey through the Epiphany season and look toward ordinary time. We take notice of the disciples hesitation and refusal to involve themselves as Jesus invites them to "give them some food yourself." Why do we look for a way out when Jesus invites us to join in?

We again pause to reflect on the words of St. John as we hear it said again that love is not a feeling but a command: love one another just as he commanded. What does it look like to live this way? We let BLessed Andre the porter show us the way.

We zoom in on the epiphany. We take a closer look at the Magi and Herod and see what they show forth to us. How can we experience the epiphany today.