Are you angry? So am I! Anger in this evil culture is an appropriate response. We can be angry at the violence in our culture. We can be angry that innocent people are murdered every day. We can be upset that politics turns to hyperbole and social media is destroying the brains of our young people. Anger signals that our culture has taken the wrong turn and that we know we could be better. Anger is one of the daughter virtues of Hope! Hope tells us that life can be better, that we were made for more, that this is not the way things ought to be. Hope is not optimism: optimism believes that things will naturally turn out for the better. Hope has no such illusions. Hope recognizes that life can be better because good people choose to make it so. Anger is a righteous response to evil and violence and sin because we know that we were made for more! The other daughter virtue of Hope is courage. Courage tells us to choose to do the hard thing and change the culture. Courage tells us to love our enemies and those who persecute us. Courage tells us to dialogue with those with whom we disagree and find some way to love them. Courage tells us to turn the other cheek, to go into the lion’s den to serve the most vulnerable. It takes courage to love, it takes courage to get involved and not sit on the sidelines, it takes courage to make a difference. Live in hope. Today we exalt the cross of Jesus. Jesus taught us that the better way to live is to serve. Jesus embraced the cross in the hope of new life. We had nothing to offer — broken by sin, self-absorbed by our pride, lost in the darkness of error, and Jesus showed us the light of His love by courageously picking up His cross and sacrificing His life for us on Calvary. So if you are angry, then embrace the hope that makes us Christian. Live courageously the call to love. Serve your neighbor, and make a difference. The world needs courageous people, it needs you to be courageous. Go to the cross and find your strength to be like Him and make that change.

A little confession: I love free stuff. If I go to an event and they have merch tables with free swag, I fill my pockets — especially if there are pens. Everyone loves a good pen, and there is nothing better than a good pen that’s also free. Free swag is great. It’s great marketing, because everyone loves to get free useful things, and it’s usually not that expensive to make. The only thing is that it’s also cheap. You know that a free swag pen is not like the weighted fine-tipped calligraphy instrument that costs a bit of money. Free stuff is nice, but often it’s cheap and it is no comparison to the good stuff. That’s the sense I get from today’s Gospel. Jesus is being followed by a large crowd, clearly showing His power with miracles and healings. He is a fascinating figure, easy to listen to, and accomplishing some amazing feats. His ministry garners some attention and some followers - and in the beginning, they get front row seats to what seems to be a free show. Then Jesus turns around and challenges them: whoever wants to be my disciple must pick up his own cross and follow after me. A relationship with Jesus is life-transforming - but that transformation costs a great deal. He isn’t selling some cheap knock-off. His ministry is not some Benny Hinn or Joel Olsteen, feel-good, prosperity gospel imitation. His is the way to eternal life which means that it’s not cheap, there is no substitute, and it’s not going to be as easy as watching the game or a magic show. A relationship with Jesus will change your life, and it will also cost your old one. So if it costs you everything, are you still game? That’s the question at the heart of the gospel. If you get no warm and fuzzy feelings, if it means taking on some suffering, if it challenges some of your friends and relations that give you comfort, are you still in? Are you willing to be a real disciple of Jesus, or are you just in for the free swag? Today’s gospel should cause some good reflection, and perhaps it can offer you a challenge in prayer. Lord, is there anything that I value over my salvation? Is there anything in my life that I place above you? Am I ready to be a real disciple? Grant me the grace to be truly devoted to you, Lord, and grant that I may love you always. Then, do with me as you will.

Thank you for including me.

My little niece wants nothing more than to play with me every time I come over. Each time I come by, she goes in her room, gathers a few toys and brings them to me to play. Often these games are rather involved, and it would require my full attention. So, while I would love to play games with her, I have to tell her that I can’t, because I want to spend time with her and the whole family. All she hears, however is, “no.” She tries again, gathers another toy, and brings it back. One toy after another receives the same response, so my niece thinks that the problem isn’t her toys, but her. I want her company with the rest of the family. I want to spend time with them all together. But, because she doesn’t understand, and she feels rejected. We do this with God. Whenever we ask God in prayer to bless our projects or plans before we ask Him what He wants us to do, we can feel the same rejection; no, after no, after no. Each one hurting more than the last. Instead, ask God to direct your action. Ask God what He wants for your life. Ask God lead you to His plan for you and how He wants to share the kingdom with you! Docility is another term for this disposition. We are docile when we ask God to lead and we are willing to follow. Pray then, for docility and ask the Lord to bring you where He wants to lead!