Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

Insider/Outsider

Insider and outsider are two common ways that people think of themselves and others. It seems a natural human trait that we define ourselves by who we admit into our lives and who we keep out. Sometimes the walls that separate insiders from outsiders are high and solid, while at other times they are lower or have openings that allow for easy movement between sides. But as long as there are walls, there is some separation between insiders and outsiders.

But what would it be like if there were no walls and everyone was an insider? Differences would still exist, no doubt, but we would see them as assets rather than threats. Amazingly, that was precisely St. Paul’s view of the church: one body having many different members with different gifts for the building up of the whole community. And Jesus made the non-exclusionary sharing of food a hallmark of his ministry, welcoming to his table both “sinners” and the “righteous” precisely because God, their Creator and Father, loves both.

In the community of Christians, everyone is an insider, and that is meant to disclose how the whole world should be. The degree to which we (as individuals and as communities) let people into our lives shows how well we’ve understood the Kingdom of God and the behavior it asks of us in our personal, familial, political, social, cultural, and economic lives.

Sunset over Puget Sound

Thanks for the great photo, Betty!

Sometimes the Storm Is Us

In the fourteenth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, the disciples find themselves out in the storm, buffeted by wind and waves, not sure who is the figure they see in the lightning illuminated darkness. They think it’s a ghost but it’s really Jesus, and when he gets into the boat, he calms the water and wind and all is quiet.

Most of us can relate because we’ve probably found ourselves in life’s storms where only Jesus can bring calm. But sometimes we are the storm. Our unbridled emotions or our pride can threaten to bring destruction and devastation to ourselves, our friends, family members, and even nations. We bluster and blow and stir things up as we become tornados and hurricanes of resentment, lust, anger, jealousy, or greed.

When that happens, we need Jesus to calm the forces of chaos that dominate us and threaten others. We need him to step in and say, “Stop! Be still!” and bring calm.

Sammamish (WA) Afternoon

Feeding and Counting

Consolation and challenge in the story of the feeding of the crowd.  Matthew chapter 14