AUGUST 10-11, 2019
5:00 PM (SAT), 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM (SUN) ORDINARY FORM MASSES
Born in 1913 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Albert Ellis studied psychology in the 1940s, and in 1953 broke with classical psychoanalysis to put forward his own theories that became known as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.
Taking a cue from the ancient Greek Stoic philosophers, he emphasized a philosophy of personal ethics informed by logic and reason.
Although slow to be accepted by other therapists, Ellis founded the Rational Living Institute in the 1960s; and twenty years later he was considered to be one of the top three influential psychotherapists in history, ranking second between Carl Rogers and Sigmund Freud.
In addressing anxiety or worry, Ellis classified three types of worry. (1) Worrying about yourself – which he called ego anxiety, (2) Worrying about things outside of yourself – which he called discomfort anxiety, and (3) Worrying about worrying – which he saw as an amplifier of internal tension.
In all three of these, the anxiety or worrying acts as an obstacle to moving forward. In most things, Ellis’ therapy involved examining and evaluating the situation rationally and reasonably. … breaking down the situation into bite-sized pieces … and examining things in the light of logic.
Until his death in 2007 at the age of 93, Ellis worked 16 hour days writing books, meeting with clients, and teaching. He has left behind an enormous legacy of books, talks, and papers.
Today is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
In the first line of the Gospel, Jesus tells us:
Do not be afraid any longer …For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
The Letter to the Hebrews and the reading from the Book of Wisdom both provide examples of Faith taken from various historical figures and events in Scripture.
In the pericope from the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the author points out several ancient heroes of Faith who worshipped God, walked with God, worked with God, and waited with God.
That chapter begins with a beautiful definition of Faith as:
the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.We are called to go beyond a mere natural or human faith. In Baptism Christians are given Supernatural Faith … a spiritual gift … a theological virtue … indeed, infused at Baptism and strengthened by all the Sacraments.
Supernatural Faith, as well as Supernatural Hope, and Supernatural Love allow a Christian to transcend human limitations – but requires us to exercise these virtues in order to receive the divine treasure … the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Pope St. John Paul called Faith and Reason the
two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth … [that is] to know …and lov[e] GodLet us, in Faith, ascend to that divine truth in confidence and hope, knowing that God who “deliver[s] … and preserve[s]” us … is, indeed, “our help and our shield.”
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ – let us put aside any worry or anxiety, and place our trust in God … Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let us engage our Supernatural gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love … realizing the unseen evidence of God’s power in our lives.
