On Hope and Reaching for Something Better

One of the great things about the Sacred Scriptures is that we continually find our own experiences there – we can relate – and we can see ourselves in the stories.

In our Gospel reading today, I think we can say that the blind man Bartimaeus was a man reaching for something better for his life. There are times when every one of us wants to do that, or wishes he or she could reach for something better.

When I was about 30 years old, I had a good job, I was married already with two sons, we just bought a new house, went on vacations – in short, life was comfortable. We regularly went to church. I had my own personal spiritual faith formation program for myself. My world pretty much revolved around my immediate family only.

Then one day, I found myself kind of restless, so to speak and I thought – there has to be more to life than this. I found myself in prayer telling God my realization that there has to be more to life than what I had and I asked God for what he really wants me to do with my life… a gutsy question…

Interestingly enough, soon after that - I was invited to a birthday party and a friend I was sitting next to, asked me if I want to go to a retreat – a Cursillo weekend… a weekend of encounter with self, encounter with God and encounter with others. That weekend kind of helped me sort out things I have been pondering about … and gave me a new perspective of what it really means to be fully human, what life is all about, what we are meant to be… how to be fully alive. As St. Irenaeus said: “The glory of God is a person fully alive.”

That Cursillo weekend got me started in my public life, so to speak and took me out of my comfort zone. I started volunteering in the church – in Hospitality, Word and Eucharistic ministries, Religious Education, Confirmation, Faith Formation Programs and various Evangelization Programs in the diocese and even outside the diocese.

I volunteered at a Christian help center sheltering and feeding the homeless.

In fact, one Christmas Eve, I took my two sons with me to the homeless shelter to help prepare dinner for the homeless and our assignment was to peel a big bag of potatoes but that was one of the greatest Christmas gifts I have given my sons… the experience of serving and we had fun… We had Christmas joy… joy of giving.

Then I found myself signing up for lay ministry formation program in the Diocese, was commissioned two years later and then I was invited to discern a vocation to the Diaconate and by the grace of God, I was ordained in 2000 - four years later as a permanent deacon… a life of service… diakonia.

As the late Pope Benedict XVI said: “We were not made for comfort. We were made for greatness.” … and greatness can be found in service… service of God and service of our neighbors.

So, be careful what you pray for… and I am so glad, to say the least that I asked God the question- is there more to life and what He wanted me to do with my life… I can truly honestly say, more than I can say in words, I am so happy and feel so blessed, to say the least. and I know God is not done with me yet… and so I continue to ask God: “Now, what?” “Where do we go from here?”

I was and I am still a very private person, and I never imagined myself doing public speaking and yet, see, - HERE I AM.

So, I invite you, to ask God that same question… from the very depths of your heart: “Lord, what do you want me to do with my life?” and I assure you, you will never regret it.

There are people who might be afraid to ask that question because they know they have to change and change hurts and they do not want to get out of their comfort zone… Some may even think, that it might take the fun out of life if they get any closer to Jesus… which cannot be any farther from the truth.

As the Scripture says: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered the human heart what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

We can learn from Bartimaeus… in today’s Gospel reading… In Bartimaeus’ heart was a conviction that he was born to some higher destiny than just to be a blind beggar on the side of the road.

That is what I think we need to wish or pray for - that same sense of sacred discontentment or restlessness…. As St. Augustine said: You created us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

There is so much to be that we have never been. There is so much to do that we have never done. There are friendships to be built, love to be shared, services to be rendered, beauty to be experienced, books to be read, knowledge to be discovered. Regardless of your age, life has only begun. What a tragedy if we should stop and stay and cease to grow when there is so much more beyond us.

In our Gospel reading, when Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was near, he began to shout.

For some reason, the people began to scold Bartimaeus and told him to keep quiet but he shouted all the louder. He held on to his hope, however fragile it might be. If anyone had reason to give up, this man did, but Bartimaeus stands before us as an example of those who refuse to be discouraged.

So, to those of us who labor under burdens that seem too great to bear due to illness, age, poverty or financial concerns, cruelty or injustice, or family or relationship issues, etc. - Bartimaeus is our teacher. He held on to his hope however fragile it might be. He rejected despair as a way of life.Our world needs desperately to hear the Christian message of hope. As St. Pope John Paul II said: “Only in Christ, can humanity find hope.”

Follow Jesus through the pages of the Gospels, and you will find Jesus constantly encouraging people with the vision of a better life. He said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more”.

But of course – reality check – Reaching for something better involves an active faith… meaning - It is not going to fall on your lap. In our Gospel reading: “Bartimaeus threw aside his old cloak, sprang up and came to Jesus”… meaning – Bartimaeus did it in active faith – meaning – He gave up his attachment to the things that used to give him security and comfort and in faith, he walked towards Jesus.

Admittedly, at times, we pray and pray and pray and still feel as though God is not listening, but we must remember - we must know that God does hear us and His initial silence - seemingly - is His way of inviting us closer and to a deeper level of faith and prayer... calling us to continue to believe in His great love.

Jesus told Bartimaeus: “Go your way, your faith has saved you”. Immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus.

Imagine Jesus asking you the same question he asked Bartimaeus – listen with your heart – Jesus is asking you: “What do you want me to do for you? Do not be afraid to tell Him.

We are often cautioned against false hopes; against living in a dream… People say that it is better to face the facts than to be disappointed by false hopes. People say - we all know that the surest way to avoid disappointment is not to hope for anything at all – but that is not good.

But you see - the truth is – God is real - there is a God – God loves us. God is pleased when we come to Him with our every need and that puts an element of hope in every circumstance, whatever it maybe - however dark it might be. If there is a grain of hope anywhere, may we have the grace to find it and hold on to it.

 And that grain of hope in even the darkest days is always God… in Jesus… who said: “Behold, I am with you always until the end of the age”

Our Christian faith is not about proof. It is about hope.

God bless…

“What Do You REALLY Want From Life?”

I will start with a serious question which requires some serious thinking and perhaps some serious soul searching.

The question is: “What do we REALLY want from life?” … emphasizing the word REALLY.

The things we really want and the things we think we want are often not the same things. We say we want this or that, but when life puts us to the test, it turns out that what we really want is something else… our heart is not where we think it is.

Today’s Gospel reading presents a clear illustration of this strange contradiction. It tells about a man who came running to Jesus, excited, knelt in his presence and said: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Everything about the scene would suggest that here was a man who knew what he wanted: eternal life with God in heaven, which actually must be our ultimate goal… Heaven is our true home… We are just passing through in this life. Everything in this world is passing.The man came running. He knew where he was going and was eager to get there. He knelt before Jesus – an indication of humility and a willingness to learn. He asked a specific question. Apparently, he had seen a quality in the life of Jesus that he thought he wanted for his own life. He wants what Jesus has.

But, sadly, when Jesus told him how to reach that goal, his face fell; he gave up his search and went back to his old way of living. What he thought he wanted and what he really wanted turned out to be two different things.

That same kind of contradiction can easily take place in your life and mine. And it is usually so subtle that we are not even aware of it. We tell ourselves that we are pursuing some worthwhile goal, when all the while we are actually seeking some lesser goal. This is the reason I asked the question the way I did, emphasizing the word “really”. What do you and I REALLY want from life?

The answer to this question is this: The things that we really want are those things for which we are willing to pay the price that it takes to get them – whatever is necessary to get them.

We tell ourselves and our families and friends that this is our goal. But we never get around to paying the price that it takes to reach that goal. We do not want to pay the price. So, we really need to be honest with ourselves.

The man in the story was rich, powerful, belonged to the ruling class – what we would call a successful man… a unique opportunity to lead a happy and useful life. But in spite of all of that, he had not found the fulfillment that his heart so deeply desired. Then one day, a simple Galilean carpenter told him how he could have the kind of life that he though he wanted. Jesus said: “Sell what you have and give to the poor… after that, come and follow me.”

 The man had been telling himself that he wanted eternal life, true lasting joy and peace… But when he learned the price it would cost him - what kind of living or lifestyle it would cost him, he changed his mind. It turned out that what he really wanted was temporary riches and pleasures of life, because that was the thing for which he was willing to pay the price.

That is the only valid test of a person’s true goals in life. We are willing to pay the price that it takes to get them… whatever is necessary.

Think about it: What is it that you are willing to pay everything for it?

I challenge each one of us today to apply this searching test to his or her own life. It is one thing, and a rather easy one, for you and me to desire some worthwhile goal. It is another thing for us to pay the price that is really necessary to reach that goal.

My guess is that everyone here would profess a desire for improved character and to have better relationships with others. In a broad and general sense, all of us would like to be better people than we were. All of us would like to have happy homes and family life and enduring relationships.

The question is – how many of us, right now today, are practicing spiritual disciplines that lead to strength of character? How many of us are putting the needs of other people on the same level, or even on a higher level than our own needs? To honestly answer those questions is the only way to determine what you and I really want from life. Are you willing to pay the price?

Another way to ponder this serious question: If you and I want the finer things in life, we must pay for them before we get them.

If, on the other hand, we want cheap and shabby things, we can buy them on credit – even if we do not have the money because we want them now and just pay for them later. We live in a society of instant gratification. People live on credit. The man in our gospel story – was faced with two choices – eternal life OR temporary riches and pleasures. Eternal life requires payment in advance, so to speak. Temporary riches and pleasures - he could have immediately.

You and I are faced with the same kind of choices. To the students – if you want an idle and lazy or easygoing life, just fun times, you can have it right now but you have to pay for it later. But if you want to get a good education and graduate – even with honors, you cannot have that today and you must pay the price before you can possess it… by having disciplined good study habits… sacrifice.

If a man wants to express his sexuality by having casual affairs with a number of different women, none of whom he really knows well, he can start today. He can have that kind of life right now and pay for it later.

Remember: You have control over your choices and behavior but you have no control over the consequences of your choices and behavior. Behavior have consequences. Choices have consequences.

If a man wants a good marriage and a good home and family, where love deepens into friendship and grows richer with every passing year, he cannot have that immediately. It can be his – someday, but he must pay for it – by a life of virtues – self-discipline, chastity, before he can possess it.

So, what do we really want from life?

I think the message for us is this: We need to pay for what we want. We need to pay in advance, so to speak – meaning – pay in terms of devotion to Christ and discipline of self – life lived according to God’s will, life of self-sacrifice and self-giving. Then the best things in life can be ours forever and ever.

As Jesus said: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33 RSVCE)

Our wealth – be it much or be it little – addressing especially to those who have much more – remember – that our wealth does not mean that we are more deserving than the poor or than those who have less.

It is unreasonable for us to see everything we have as signs of our own merit. They are not. Every good thing that you and I enjoy are all by the grace of God - gift of God’s grace. And when we fail to see that, as Jesus said: “it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for us to enter the kingdom of God.”

There is a saying: “Money cannot buy happiness.” In one sense, it is true. You will not find true lasting happiness in any store or even vacation or pleasurable places. But, if you buy a poor child a new pair of shoes, that purchase is going to produce a double dip of happiness – one dip of happiness for the child and one dip of happiness for you.

Money cannot buy happiness as long as we spend it on ourselves but if we invest it on another, it is a different story. Who says you cannot buy happiness? It all depends on how you spend your money.

God bless…

“Are You For or Against Jesus? Are You All In?”

Our first and Gospel readings today remind us – that in our religious devotions and commitments, we should not place limits on God… and through whom He can work – works of salvation.

From our first reading, Eldad and Medad were not present in the tent with the other 70 elders who received the Spirit. So, the other 70 elders were offended because Eldad and Medad were doing the same work for God that the 70 elders were doing.

Joshua said: “Stop them,”. “Why?” asked Moses. “I wish that all the people were prophets!”

In our Gospel reading - A man was baptizing in the name of Jesus. He was not one of the Twelve. The twelve said. “Stop him”. “Why?” asked Jesus. “He is doing good work.”

The situation between Jesus and his disciples is similar to the one between Moses and the 70 elders in our first reading. Jesus uses the occasion to teach his disciples an important lesson: "Anyone who is not against us is for us" (Mk. 9:40). In other words - Those who are not members of our company or those not within the same religious circle we are in are not necessarily against us. God’s ways have a broader scope than we sometimes think.

Most of us here have been faithful Catholics throughout our lives – “Cradle Catholics”. We have attended Mass weekly from our earliest days. We have lived moral lives and searched for ways that we could serve God in others, particularly in our families. Most of us here do not just go to Church on Sundays, we pray every day. I would like to believe that.

As human beings we fall, we sin, but we also rise up again through the grace of the sacraments - God gave us - through His Church. Most of us here are very happy members of the Catholic Church (I would like to believe that). We see how the Holy Spirit continually works in the Church.

We look at Pope Francis and other spiritual leaders and holy people and see God’s presence in their lives. We witness various charitable agencies and the volunteers like our Mensa Christi volunteers who care for the homeless/the poor and see God working through them.

We believe that the Catholic Church is the original Christian Church. We believe that the Catholic Church has the fullness of the revelation of truth and has the means of obtaining the fullness of salvation through Jesus Christ.

And that is our faith life – the religious world – we live in… but we have to remember that there is another world out there – of non-Christians, non-Catholics, non-believers - different from the faith life or religious world we live in.

And so - we have to be careful. We could be like the disciples of Jesus. They thought they had a monopoly on truth and good deeds - so they tried to stop a man who was performing miracles because he was not of their company, so to speak. Jesus replied in no uncertain terms: “Anyone who is not against us is actually for us.”

He stated the same principle even more strongly in John’s Gospel:” I have many sheep out there that are not of this fold.” Apparently, Jesus did not limit his friends to his circle of close followers, and neither should we.

But how can we call others – and yes – they perform works of charity – how can we call them friends of Jesus if they do not profess his name? How can that be?

The great Catholic theologian Karl Rahner speaks of “Anonymous Christians” – those men and women who are doing the work of Christ without ever hearing his name… this is based/rooted on the biblical view that God is the Creator, the Judge, the Redeemer of the entire universe. The healing and helping love – God revealed in Jesus Christ - is actually also at work in every time and place even through those people who – even without them knowing it - have the courage to embrace and share the love of God…

So what should be our attitude toward those who do not share our faith – who are not of our company, or religious circle? We can be exclusive or inclusive. We can close them out, or we can say with our Lord, “Anyone who is not against us is actually with us.” … for us…

When good people witness charity in us, they find themselves attracted to the Church and to Christ. Universal charity is a great way to attract people to the knowledge and love of Christ.

You see – the Good News is - We are blessed and graced to live in the age of the Holy Spirit. This wonderful time began when The Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit upon the world. He is the Spirit of God. He is the action of God. The Holy Spirit transforms the world by working in the hearts of all good people.

And thus, in the Vatican II document, The Church in the Modern World, the Catholic Church declared that all who are open to God (meaning – not only Catholics but even non-Christians, non-believers ), those who are following their consciences are themselves, in fact, members of the Church, saved by Jesus Christ… even without them knowing it.

Yes - the Spirit is present in the Catholic Church. Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament. But the Spirit is also present where we least expect to find Him… but – again, if we are not careful – we can tend to limit God’s power and love and work of salvation.

No one can harness the Spirit. He is God, the action of Love that has been unleashed upon the world through the Gift of the Father and the Sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

We thank God today for the wonders of the Holy Spirit, in our lives, in our parish and in our world.

In today’s Gospel from Mark, "Anyone who is not against us is for us" (Mk. 9:40). In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, "He who is not with Me is against Me" (Mt. 12:30)… kind of the other way around.

Both sayings: “Anyone who is not against us is for us.” And “He who is not with Me is against Me.”

They both deliver the same message: when it comes down to the truth about our relationship with Jesus, the Gospel is never neutral… - meaning – we are all called to be either for Jesus or against Jesus – not maybe – not neutral or not just being on the sidelines, so to speak.

From the Book of Revelation 3:15-16

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth… meaning – if you are lukewarm - you are in trouble.

As St. Therese of Lisieux said: You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all… We are all called to be saints - only saints go to heaven – and when I say saints – it means not only those officially publicly recognized by the Church – but all people known to God…. People who live their lives according to God’s will.

As Christians, as members of the Body of Christ – there is no such thing as "inactive" members”. There is no such thing as "passive Christians” or "part-time" Christians. Either Yes or No to Christ – Not Maybe. Hot or cold – not lukewarm.

From our second reading from the letter of James - James was not impressed with wealth or fame, and the marks of worldly success were not important to the Christian community. The true friends of God and true followers of Jesus Christ may not possess riches nor social status nor power, but they are those who love justice and act in kindness toward all people… no discrimination, no exclusiveness.

The ultimate test of our Christian discipleship is not what we think about Jesus, not what we say about Jesus, but how we live our lives - what we do about and for and in Jesus. In simple concrete terms: How does our relationship with Jesus affect the way we conduct our lives every day? How does our relationship with Jesus affect our relationships with others – how do we treat others? How do we demonstrate our love for Jesus in the specific, down-to-earth events of our ordinary daily lives?

Jesus has called us out of or from neutrality: "Anyone who is not against us is with us, for us” ... “He who is not with Me is against Me." These words, which Jesus directed to the disciples of His time, are also directed to you and to me every moment of our lives. So, the final question is - Are you ALL IN or out? Are you for or against?

 God bless…

Holy Communion and Being One with Christ

The late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: "Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction." Meaning - Christianity is not an intellectual system, a collection of dogmas, or a religion of moralism.

It is possible to know all about doctrine, know everything about Jesus and strictly observe religious practices and still not know Jesus… meaning there are people who have relationship only with religion – and they are good at it…but not personal relationship – not friendship with Jesus.4Hopefully – we all reach the point in our lives when we can say – “I believe in God not because my parents told me… not because the Church told me, but because I have experienced God’s love, His goodness and mercy myself.”

--- experiential knowledge of God.

There is not one statement which can capture the full meaning of the Christian experience or encounter with Christ. 

For that reason, the New Testament – the Scripture - speaks of Christ and our relationship with Christ in a number of different ways.  Sometimes, Jesus is the leader whom we follow.  Sometimes the master whom we obey.  At other times Jesus is the example whom we imitate.  At times, the teacher from whom we learn. 

Often– Jesus is presented as the Savior of the world by whom we are saved, and at times as the physician by whom we are healed.

All of these relationships have at least one thing in common.  They are essentially external in nature… meaning – in each of these relationships, Christ and we are related and yet we remain separate and apart,

… meaning – Jesus is outside of us, and we are outside of him.

Actually, we are all called to a deeper, more intimate relationship.  Sometimes the Scripture refers to this as “our being IN Christ”. At other times, it refers to “Christ being IN us.” Those two expressions seems to be used interchangeably.  Both ideas are that we become one with him… Christ lives IN us and we live IN Him.

In any relationship, communication is important – actually, critically important.

Thomas Merton – a Trappist monk and a mystic – said that the deepest level of communication is not communication but communion.  It is wordless… beyond speech… beyond concept… as in Holy Communion….

Jesus said: “I am the living bread come down from heaven.  If anyone eats this bread, he shall live forever.  The bread I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

Jesus’ listeners found it strange and were puzzled by it… many even stopped following him.  They began to ask among themselves, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?” Well - at least they are honest in their response to what they’ve heard.

Jesus heard their questioning, but Jesus refused to put it any other way in his language.  In an even stronger statement, he said: If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  My flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink.

So – How about you?  What is your own reaction when you hear these words of Jesus

In a way we can say, you and I are probably not as greatly shocked by these words of our Lord, at least not as severely as his original audience – people of Jesus’ time - because we are at a considerable advantage… because of our position in history. 

Meaning - we have heard these words over and over again.  They are not new to us.  We hear them in the context of the Eucharistic Celebration… we know that Jesus clearly had in mind our Eucharistic banquet.  He was offering himself – his body, his blood, his very life – as spiritual food for all who would receive it… under the appearance of bread and wine… but transubstantiated into His Body and Blood at consecration.

If you are struggling with this belief, pray to God about it… spend more time before the Blessed Sacrament.

Meaning - Not only can we learn from Jesus and model ourselves after him. We can also partake of him in the Eucharist.  We can feed our souls on “the living bread” until Jesus’ life is incorporated within us.  His thoughts become our thoughts. His feelings become our feelings. And on the deepest, most difficult level, his commitment become our commitment… we share in His mission.

Christ can live in us, and we can live in him. His life can be intermingled with our lives until there is no more distinction.  Jesus said: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him”… and join the life He shares with the Father.  This life-giving relationship is at the heart of our Eucharistic experience…. Still, admittedly, quite hard to really grasp with our human mind.  The Eucharist is such a profound mystery.

In his letter to the Galatians (2:20), St. Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  It is a picture of total intimacy to which we are called to – a complete sharing of life with life.

Think about this – the person you love lives within you.  Think of your parents – we can say – their values, their spirit being alive in you. If you are married – your spouse is part of who you are – and -  you are part of who your spouse is.

That is what Jesus want the Eucharist to do for us.  Through the Eucharist, Jesus lives in us. Jesus and I become one in eating His Body and drinking His blood.  Two lives become one… when we partake of the Body of Christ.

Jesus said: “As the Father is in me and I am in the Father”… so that we will all be One in all things.

Jesus has given himself to us without reservation.  He did not hold anything back.  He gives us his flesh to eat and his blood to drink.  When we receive Him, we, in turn, give ourselves completely to him.  He knows everything about us – the worst as well as the best.  Yet he accepts us just the way we are.

And so - this opens for us - the way to that deeper and more intimate dimension of Christian experience in which we are no longer separate from Jesus and therefore, we not only follow Christ, but now, there is this togetherness in which we commune with Jesus…. if only people can truly grasp and understand the grace/gift of God we receive through the Eucharist.

Just as salt can be dissolved in water until the two become one, so Jesus’ personality can be absorbed in our personalities, slowly but surely changing the quality of our living…. That is eternal life on earth as it is in heaven.

The question is:  In what ways does our own faith, our own relationship with Jesus - is revealed in our lives – in how we live? – expressed in our daily life?
St. Augustine said: We become what we receive – the Body of Christ.

That is why as you approach the table of the Lord to receive Holy Communion, make your greatest effort to be in the present moment reality with great reverence, fully aware that you are about to receive Jesus: body, soul and divinity;  and are about to

enter into communion with Him… that is why you are supposed to bow before receiving communion, and you are not bowing to the priest or deacon or minister, but you are bowing to the Lord of Life… our bowing as a simple humble gesture of reverence, gratitude, respect, honor, surrender and love.

We are invited into Holy Communion – a life-giving union with Christ because life is difficult, to say the least…our journey towards heaven is difficult… and so we need to be nourished by His Body and Blood – by his life – by his Spirit – to keep us going – and that we must commit to live our lives every day unselfishly like Christ.

That is why at the end of the Mass, we are commissioned to “Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life” – go out into the world and be signs of Christ for others…to bear the image of God like Christ… to be the living sacraments of God’s love, grace and mercy as Jesus is.

We must also become the bread of life for others, through Christ, with Christ and in Christ.

Amen.

God Bless

“Jesus is the Bread of Life and So Must We”

John’s Gospel is about signs pointing towards Who Jesus really is.

Our Gospel reading from John Chapter 6 began last Sunday - with the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. The day after the miracle, - as we heard in our Gospel reading today - the people kept following Jesus and Jesus told the people that they were following Him not because they were excited about what Jesus had been teaching them. They were following Jesus because of the miracles and that He fed everyone.

Do we love God – for Who God is – or do we love God because of His blessings… because we are afraid not to receive His blessings if we do not serve Him or love Him or if we do not go to Mass. Of course, we miss out on God’s graces if we do not go to Mass… but is that your only reason – to get something? Do we seek the God of consolations or do we just seek the consolations of God?

It is like being nice to people, thinking that - we “love them” because they are nice to us, because they do things for us, because of what we get out of the relationship… which really is NOT true love. That is not kindness – that is business.

Let us ask ourselves – Why do we follow Jesus? Why are we Christians and why do we go to Mass?

Jesus was aware of people’s physical needs – so, he demonstrated His concern for them -- he cured the sick… and he fed them… but His purpose was something deeper and more than food for the body… Jesus wanted to do more than give people food to eat. He wanted to give them a new relationship, a new life, salvation, eternal life…. Better understanding of what life is all about.

So he began to talk about spiritual needs - as we heard in the Gospel – he offered himself as the bread of life – to raise their aspirations beyond worldly needs but the people had little or no interest in that kind of talk…

That is why if you read the rest of chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, the people found his teachings too much for them to accept – So, as the Scripture says… ‘they returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” …because his teachings are just not what they expected…. not in their agenda…That is still happening today…

So – what are we looking for in life? What are our expectations as followers of Jesus – AND - What does Jesus expect from us? - both ways - This is as it should be. In our relationship with Jesus, He can be trusted to keep His part of the bargain. But - We need to be reminded of our part… what we are called to be and to do

First – what are our expectations as followers of Christ?

At times, much of the religious frustration and failure of our day are the by-product of false expectations. Many people, it seems, have come to Christ and the Church in search of something that is not there, something that Jesus never promised to provide.

In following Christ – admittedly, we expect something that would make life a little easier… at least.

Somehow, somewhere, we have gotten the idea that faith in God – following Christ - is supposed to solve our problems, free us from our daily struggles, and eventually eliminate suffering. We seem to forget that it did not work that way even for Jesus. Jesus never expected His Father to shelter him from the harsh realities of life. Faith for him was never like a shield. For Jesus, his faith – his relationship with His Father was, instead, a source of strength that enabled him to face up to life with all of its cruelty.

Meaning – similarly – for us - that means that we should think of our relationship with God, following Christ, not so much in terms of comfort or convenience but should be in terms of courage and strength, and trust – trust in God… believing in Jesus whom He has sent.

Jesus’ purpose is not to make life easy enough for us to handle, but Jesus’ purpose is to make us strong enough to be able to handle whatever life may bring.

That - with Christ in our lives - we can confidently go through life’s journey with hope – even with peace and joy – even in the midst of life’s struggles; the life of Christ in our lives nourishing us, his presence giving us the ability to look beyond the present with our eyes focused on our ultimate goal which is - eternal joy/eternal life with the Lord in heaven… not focused on passing perishable things of this world.

Jesus said: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Jesus as our Bread of Life means nourishment for our soul, joy in our sorrow, strength in our weakness. It means community, family, friendship with Jesus. Jesus as the Bread of life means Jesus in the Eucharist, in the Scriptures, in the church, in life itself. Jesus Christ means all of these things…Jesus is all in all… for those who believe…

Let me just focus on Jesus in the Eucharist – the Source and Summit of our Christian life - Jesus being present - body, soul and divinity in the Eucharist under the appearance of bread and wine.

Jesus does not intend only to take care of the physical needs of those who followed him. He desires to satisfy the deep hunger for eternal life and mercy only found in communion with God.

We come to Church, we receive Holy Communion, not because it is the rule of the Church – not because it is an obligation - but because our journey through life is difficult, to say the least… and so we receive communion because we need food for our soul for the journey. The Lord gives us this food. He is our food. He is the Bread of Life… to keep us going.

We need Christ in the Eucharist to become the Christ-like people we are called to be. When we receive the self-giving love of Jesus in the Eucharist - being strengthened by the real bread of life, then - it becomes possible for us to “truly love God and others” … because it is now the love of God – the love of Christ that loves others - meaning – ourselves becoming what we partake, becoming what we eat - … we become the Body of Christ… for others.

Now – what does Jesus expect from us? As we heard the people in the Gospel asked Jesus: What can we do to do the work that God wants?

In receiving Holy Communion, it is very important to realize and understand and to remember that the Body of Christ does not nourish us spiritually by simply receiving it – by just going through the motions – because it is a Catholic thing to do. I am saying this with all due respect - it is so sad to see people come to receive communion and you can see in their faces, their eyes, their demeanor that they are just going through the motions and have no clue – no reverent awareness of Who it is they are about to receive.

What is necessary - is that - we must believe… As we heard in the Gospel: Jesus said: “This is the work of God – that you believe in the One He sent.” To believe in Jesus is not just believing intellectually as who Jesus is – but believing Jesus grounded in a profound relationship with Him.We must have the proper disposition when we receive the Eucharist… We must have the awareness, the faith in whom we receive… that we truly enter into communion with Christ Who is present Body, Soul and Divinity - with our whole being – with Jesus as the foundation of our life.

Holy Communion means also - that we enter into communion with one another – that is why we offer each other a sign of peace before Communion – because - to truly believe and receive Christ and be nourished by him – by his life – by his Spirit – it is important that we be united in worship around the Eucharistic table.

We must also be bread of life for others… We must also be the source of hope, courage and strength for others… for one another.

Like Christ, like the Eucharist – our lives must also be blessed, broken and shared… Like the blood of Christ, our lives must be poured out in loving service of God and our neighbor.

That is why at the end of the mass – like the apostles – we are sent into the world – “Go in peace – glorifying the Lord by your life.”

We reply - Thanks be to God.

 God bless…

Compassion and Disappointments

Our first reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah refers to the people of Israel who were suffering from a lack of leadership through corrupt or negligent rulers who were supposed to be their shepherds but ruled them cruelly and harshly. So, the flock were scattered, so to speak to become the prey of all the wild animals. No one searches for them and no one looks for them… a sad state of affairs.

We hear the promise of the prophet Jeremiah that the God of Israel will raise up shepherds for those who need them and will raise up One who will save Israel and lead with wisdom… referring to Jesus – the Good Shepherd and referring to us – His followers, who claim to be Christians… called also to be good shepherds of God’s people.

A shepherd is someone who guides, who takes care and who gathers together.

Think of the people who have guided you and cared for you? If someone comes to mind, take a moment today to give thanks for them… pray for them. They were good shepherds for you.

Equally, are there are people you know who are in search of guidance and direction? If so, remember them; maybe include them in your personal intention for this mass; and pray for their well-being.

The first reading and our Gospel reading call us to reflect on what it means to be a shepherd… a good shepherd.

From our Gospel reading, the disciples had been sent out to the towns and villages, to preach about the Kingdom of God. And when they returned from their mission, Jesus gathered them and told them to come away and rest awhile. However, the people saw them going, and they all hurried to the place on foot, reaching it first before Jesus and his disciples.

Jesus was moved with pity for they were like sheep without a shepherd.

The word “pity” actually fails to capture the intensity of Jesus’ emotion as the word used in the Greek and Hebrew text… Something is lost in the translation to English.

The Greek word used is a very forceful term to signify an expression of the total personality at the deepest level. It actually refers to an emotion that moves a person to the very depths of his or her being….the seat of the deepest emotions. … it was not an ordinary pity or compassion that Jesus felt.

The Hebrew equivalent word expresses a deep and tender feeling of compassion, like the feeling we have when we see our loved ones in sickness or suffering; when we see our dear ones suffering or those who need our help.

That is how Christ responds to us, and He bids each one of us to, ‘Go and do likewise.’” As disciples of Jesus we are called to be as compassionate as Jesus is compassionate, and that is a constant challenge for all of us… because there’s always this tendency or temptation for us to stand aloof … even indifferent… and we tend to think: “That is not my concern. It’s other people’s job. There are other people who will take care of the person in need or of the situation.”

Jesus is moved to the very depths of his being because the people were like sheep without a shepherd… they do not know where to turn or whom to turn to.

Jesus knows, deep in his own heart, what a terrible thing - to feel the loneliness and not having any direction or any center to your life and to be lost. And Jesus reaches out to that…

 As Christians, baptized in Christ, we are all called to share in the mission of Christ – we are all called to be good shepherds also – and to proclaim the Good News of God’s love, grace and mercy – not only in words but by very lives… in our every day ordinary lives.

 When we share the love of God with others – at times we have to lay aside our plans because there is something more important - and that is people in need, people in need of being reached out to, accepted, cared for.

As we heard in the Gospel reading - when they got to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw the people and therefore He and His disciples have to lay aside their plans to rest a while, because something more important was there, and that is - people in need, people in need of being reached out to, accepted, cared for.

People are more important than plans, people are more important than the future – meaning - the people who are here and now with us – they are more important. We must make them understand that we value them, we care about them.

God works through people - through us - and so God hopes that we ourselves will give ourselves to the interruptions, and be like Jesus: a man of compassion, a man who listens, a man who cares, a man who heals by his listening.

And this is what changes the world… with the world we are living in now with so much darkness and violence and hatred; not so much the preaching, but the living with people in the ordinariness of everyday life, with its ups and downs, its confusions and all its problems.

The more that we try to be like Jesus, the more the Kingdom of God is preached to all the world… even in our small corner of the world because we become the presence of Jesus… people experience the loving presence of God through us - in our lives.

As has been said: “People will listen to and hear the Word of God if they first experience the love of God”… and “People do not care what you know or how much you know unless they know that you care.”

Preaching the word of God is not a matter of knowing what we are supposed to know and believe.

 It is allowing the kindness and the love and the caring of Jesus that you and I experience ourself in our own life and have in our hearts – in turn - to reach from your heart into everybody else’s heart… because the Kingdom of God is the presence of God with His people… as Jesus did – Jesus let His people be filled with a kind of kindness as Jesus always felt from His Father.

It is in the interruptions in our plans in our daily lives, and the little things that put us off very often and admittedly which annoy us - paradoxically, actually – often times - it is through this little things in our ordinary life that the Kingdom of God is revealed.

 Why? Because love is expressed through the small things in life.

If we are to preach the love of God, all we have to do is pay attention to the interruptions in our life, and we will find that God will lead us to an understanding of how people are touched, because this is what Jesus did.

The critical question is: How do we react when our plans do not work out? Things do not always happen the way we plan them. So, how do we react?

Most of us are inclined to react negatively whenever something we want is denied us or something we do not want is forced upon us.

That negative kind of response completely overlooks the fact that in this world – disappointment and disruption of our plans - go with the territory, so to speak… it is a fact of life.

In other words, in this life - we had better learn to expect the unexpected. We want one thing; we get another.

One of the most foolish things we can do is to waste our time resenting and resisting this universal reality. Jesus could have done that but he did not.

But you see - Jesus did not just passively resign himself to the inevitable.
He did not just endure the disappointment. He used it… for good.

He used the adversity and put it to work.

 We can take our disappointment and use it to accomplish something good in ourselves and in our world. We cannot always decide what life does to us, but we can decide how we respond to life.

God bless…

Finding Strength in Weakness

From our gospel reading: The people of Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, they had their own fixed ideas as to how God works and as to how the Messiah would come - and the one they knew as the carpenter, Jesus - Mary’s son, simply did not fit their expectations or understanding of the Messiah when he comes.

Like the people of Nazareth who refused to listen to Jesus’ message and failed to recognize Him as the Messiah – we tend to see only what we want to see…. hear only what we want to hear.

The danger is - if you are so fixated on seeing only one thing, you are blind to see everything else…. Or, if you are so firmly believing in or strongly supporting an idea or theory or tradition – the danger is you can become inflexible and therefore unwilling to open your mind and change your beliefs.

Our beliefs affect our attitude and our attitude affects our behavior and our actions.

So - Pray to God for wisdom every day. Wisdom is considered the first and the greatest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is the ability to see and understand things, ourselves, others, understand our situations from God’s perspective and use that truth to glorify God.  It is important to have accurate perception because accuracy of perception leads to accuracy of response especially to the call of God.  It makes a whole world of difference. So, pray for wisdom every day.

God is a mystery.  What we believe about God affects how we pray, affects what we pray for and consequently affects how we treat others.

Problems and conflicts in relationships arise often times because – we react to what we think instead of what is reality… which might be different from what we think.

At times we tend to be judgmental of other people including our spouses, family members and friends and much more so towards other people.

The greatest enemy to faith can simply be “familiarity”: meaning – as Jesus experienced – it is the refusal to believe that God’s presence - and prophetic instruments of that presence - could come to us in so familiar a person as the person next door, so to speak.

An important lesson to learn here: Our growth in spiritual life is shown in our ability to recognize God – recognize His Presence - more and more in the ordinary everyday life and events and in ordinary people… at times through people we do not even like or least expected to bring the good news to us… or help us

We all have a tendency to be so bogged down with our own concept of what the minister of the Lord - should be like - that we miss the Word of God.

We say, “That priest or deacon or church leader who talks about scriptures and talks about being kind and charitable, does not appear to me to be very kind.” And so, we tend to NOT listen to any truth that they may have proclaimed. But you see - truth is truth, whether it is proclaimed by a saint or a sinner.

Think of your family members or friends. Maybe, there were times you refused to listen to them and therefore ignored what they were trying to telll you because of your pre-conceived idea of that person and so you might have missed out on the truth or good news…. On the other hand, maybe you can remember instances in your life when you were pleasantly surprised of the outcome because you listened to someone you least expected to come up with a great idea.  Quite a paradox.

The second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians speaks about another intriguing paradox – finding strength in weakness.

Paul discovered during a time of personal suffering that God can often accomplish more in the world through our times of weakness than in our times of strength.  It is a strange reversal of our normal thinking.

We do not know the nature of his physical suffering, but whatever it was, St. Paul prayed again and again that God would heal him. Humanly speaking, it would have made more sense for God to heal Paul, so that he could return with full health to the task of spreading the Gospel.  But in this case, for reason wrapped up in the mystery of God, God did not heal Paul of his illness.

God told Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”  That was not the answer Paul sought.  But it is the answer by which Paul faced his illness, learned to live with it, and continued to serve Christ.

For Paul, suffering brings about humility. St. Paul points out that to ensure he does not develop a spiritual superiority, God gave him a “thorn in the flesh”, so to speak.

Our personal thorns in the flesh – maybe chronic illness or ongoing trials in life - can be certainly painful, and at times even impossible to bear.  However, God uses these thorns in our lives to display His power, to sustain us and use us. When we are young, all of us think we can be anything and do anything in life.  However, as we grow older, admittedly, we grow more and more in our awareness of our limitations.

The challenge is to have faith - and continue to trust God for the work He’s doing, even when we do not see it or understand. 

St Augustine, said: Believe that you may understand. St Anselm, agrees with St Augustine. Anselm wrote: I do not seek to understand so that I may believe; I believe so that I may understand.

Therefore, we need to ask God for the strength to endure and to remain faithful.

God does not rescue us from all our weaknesses, but rather God wants us to rely on His strength in our weakness.  It is when we accept and embrace our weaknesses and rely on God’s strength that we can say that we are truly strong, for then it is God’s strength working through us, and not our own strength. 

God did not heal St. Paul of his disease. It maybe the same answer God is offering to your unanswered prayer today. God is just answering you in a way you did not ask for, did not seek, and do not want.

Think about it:  Could it be that despite your crippling illness, or distressful family situation or whatever bad circumstances you find yourself in now - that God will use you?

In other words: Could it be that your suffering is meant to serve some higher purpose?

Maybe so.  If so, then learn to trust in the grace, and the sufficiency of Christ, who Himself chose to serve God in the weakness of the cross rather than seize the power of legions of angels to defeat the Romans and the misguided Jewish leaders.

If we unite and offer our suffering with the suffering of Christ, then our suffering becomes a participation in God’s work of salvation, our suffering becomes redemptive and therefore our suffering has meaning and purpose.

St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta said: “You will never know that Jesus is all you need until the day Jesus is all you have.”

Yes - Pleasant experiences make life delightful… but - Painful experiences lead to growth.

If in this life we knew or experience only success and only pleasant experiences, there would be no possibility of developing character, gratitude, or wisdom. Suffering is a part of God’s creation, not as punishment but suffering  is essential to soul-making.

Deep unspeakable suffering may be called – in fact - a baptism, a re-generation, initiation into a new state of being.  Of course, it does not mean that we pray for suffering or that we are expected to enjoy our suffering, but we are called to endure our suffering in the assurance that God will use it for good.

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul said: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Amen.  God bless…

Does God Care?

The Gospel reading reminds me of a very moving scene of Pope Francis - in front of a rainy St. Peter’s Basilica, before an empty square - as the world  grappled with the spread of the coronavirus. Pope Francis delivered a homily of hope - based on the same Gospel reading we have today.

The Pope said: “Just as it happened with the disciples, we too are faced with a “darkness… Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities; it has taken over our lives… We find ourselves afraid and lost.”

Even among the faithful, many asked the same question as the disciples did: Why does it seem God is sleeping? Doesn’t God care that we are perishing?

The Pope said that it is “a time of choosing” …  people have a chance to “choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not.”

By the grace of God, we can say with gratitude, we are here – alive and well - we survived the pandemic although sadly many of us lost family members and friends.

The question is – as survivors - did we learn anything from our Covid pandemic experience?  What did we learn? Because - What a wasted experience - if we did not learn anything at all or if we did not change for the better especially in terms of our perspective on what really matters in life…. what life is all about.

The big question is: Are we better persons today; better yet - are we better Christians – are we better followers of Christ - today than we were before the pandemic especially in terms of our relationship with God and with one another?

With all the violence and all kinds of problems in our society today, wars going on now in many areas of the world – with social media - even talking about the world being on the brink of World III,.. again, as Pope Francis said before the pandemic: we are faced again with a “darkness… we find ourselves afraid and lost.”

On a personal level - You might be going through personal darkness right now: personal illness or your loved ones being sick; problems in relationships, financial problems, problems with addiction, etc.

Does not God care about what we are going through?

The most serious questions about God - come not from theory – or intellectual pursuit or discussions - but from tragedy.

When we are caught in a storm from which there seems to be no escape, then the question becomes real and relevant:  Does God care? Does He even exist?

Do not avoid that question and do not be ashamed of it.  Those disciples would never have become the men that we so greatly admire today without that experience when they doubted but had the honesty to say so.  That kind of struggle has always been a vital part of great living and of great faith.

Look at it this way:  When a person raises that question – Does God care? – that person is at least facing the realistic facts.

We live in such a tragic world, and that if we are going to believe in God at all, we must hold that faith in the midst of tragedy. Does God care? That question is not disrespectful to God.

I do not think there is such a kind of easygoing faith in God that never wonders, that never struggles, that never doubts.

We must recognize that faith has always risen to its height in times of adversity and trials.

The unexpected storm, that almost sunk their ship, played a vital role in the lives of those early disciples.  Without it, they would not have been driven to doubt.  They would not have wondered if the Lord cared. They would not have learned that the Lord actually, really cares… they would not have had experiential knowledge of the power and love of God.

The reading ends with another kind of question, not a question of doubt, but a question of awe and wonder.  The disciples were saying to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Similarly – we can say: “Who then is this – whom even Covid19 obey?” Yes, the scientists, medical professionals, the authorities, we all did our part so we can be where we are now.  But the bottom line – Everything is by the grace of God. Thanks be to God!

But of course, COVID 19 and other viruses still exist with all the new variants. Hatred and wars, illnesess, violence, evil still exist.

Jesus said: “In this world, you will have troubles; but take heart, I have overcome the world”.

We commonly think that people are most inclined to believe in God when life is beautiful and easy. But that is not supported by the experiences of the great believers.  Look at Jesus, our Lord himself.  Yes - He saw His heavenly Father in the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. 

But that was not the place where Jesus’ faith reached its height.  That happened at Calvary where doubt was strong and faith was hard. It was at Calvary, on the cross that Jesus wondered why God had forsaken him.  But it was also there that Jesus calmly spoke His final sentence, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

As long as you and I live in this world, we will – at times - continue to find ourselves in darkness of the soul – as saints call it - and we ask God:  Where are you?  Do you care?  Do you hear me? We will probably never get finished with that question. 

But the very experiences that cause us to ask that question - will be the same place where we find our answer.  It is a strange paradox, but then again, faith reaches its height in the midst of adversities or trials.

But - of course, we do not pray for adversity in our lives to deepen or strengthen our faith. The fact is – sooner of later – life will bring trials to us - it is the reality… fact of life.

Perhaps you are currently passing through some rough waters, so to speak - fearful that conditions might get worse, and not knowing - how you will manage if they do. Maybe you are even now at the end of your wits and your strength, and wondering if anybody cares that you are drowning in your misery, so to speak.

Our Gospel message today is a great continuation of last Sunday’s Gospel message - on trusting God – God is working although we do not know how.

… but the truth is - God is in control and always at work.

We need to remember this:  Things happen, even bad things, happen only to the extent that God allows them to happen – God’s permissive will. And if God, allows even seemingly bad things to happen, God has the power to bring good out bad things that happen in our lives.  God loves us.

But you see - God is more concerned with calming the storms inside of us - in our hearts – in our minds - than with changing things in the world around us …. The sudden furious storms outside of us may be overwhelming but it is what is going inside of us – storms of doubt and unbelief that can pose the greater threat to our lives.

Our first reaction to a crisis is to want God to change our external circumstances, for God to save us from bad situation we are in - but usually, the change that matters is not the rearranging of the world outside of ourselves, but the transforming or conversion of our hearts. … How we experience the world about us is largely determined by the condition of our souls.

The calming of our inner seas, so to speak - comes primarily through our faith in the trustworthy nature of God’s love… as revealed in Christ Jesus. 

Today’s gospel does not solve the problem of pains, sufferings and adversities we face in our lives.

We are grappling here with a profound mystery, and the gospel leaves us with an image that helps us see into the mystery - the beautiful image of Jesus WITH us, His head on the cushion, asleep in the stern –a picture of peace and serenity even in the midst of storm - meaning – Jesus is in our boat, so to speak – God is present in our lives; Jesus is within us, IN us, even in the midst of the storms of life to give us peace and serenity and hope.

Like the disciples - when we are fearful and overwhelmed by the waves or storms of life – the question is: where do we place our faith? Do we focus on the power of the wind and the waves, or do we place our faith in the One whom even the wind and the sea obey? Such a faith does not mean certainty; it means the courage to live with uncertainties of life and of our faith.

Such a faith “does not mean having the answers, it means having the courage to ask the questions and NOT let go of God, as God does NOT let go of us.”

Be at peace.

Wisdom and The Eternal God Lives In Me

One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit is wisdom. Wisdom is considered the first and the greatest of the gifts.

Wisdom is the ability to see and understand things, ourselves, others, our situations from God’s perspective and use that truth to glorify God. Even if you are the most knowledgeable of all people, if you have no wisdom, you will not know what to do with what you know. Same with wealth and power - without wisdom, you will not know what to do with them and therefore, you might do more harm than good.

It is important to have accurate perception because accuracy of perception leads to accuracy of response especially to the call of God. It makes a whole world of difference. So, pray for wisdom every day.

Let me share with you a few stories or modern-day parables. If you have heard them already before – take it as a reminder - to further explain - why we need the Holy Spirit of God – the gifts of the Holy Spirit – for accurate perception and understanding of reality, of God and of what life is all about.

A man walking through the forest saw a fox that had lost its front legs for some reason and the man wondered how the fox managed to survive. Then he saw a tiger come in with game in its mouth. The tiger ate its fill and left the rest of the meat for the fox. The next day God fed the fox by means of the same tiger. So, the man began to wonder at God's greatness and said to himself, "I too shall just rest in the corner with full trust in the Lord and He will provide me with all I need."

He did this for many days but nothing happened, and he was dying, almost at death's door – so to speak - dying - when he heard a voice say, "O you, who are in the path of error, open your eyes to the truth! Follow the example of the tiger and stop imitating the disabled fox.”

You see- we need to constantly discern God’s will for our lives… what we are called to be - and do… by listening to the Holy Spirit within us – by living a life of prayer, by our obedience to Jesus’ teachings.

So – the question is: Are you using the gifts you have given in loving service of God and others? Can others experience God’s loving presence, His love, grace and mercy through you?

Are you a taker or are you a giver?

Let us pray for a generous spirit so that we can give of ourselves, our resources, time and talents to make our world a better place for others

There was this eagle’s egg that somehow ended up in a chicken farm. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.

One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds."

The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar." That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live the rest of his life like a chicken.

The moral of the story: You become - what you believe you are… you become what you think you are.

We need to ask ourselves: Who am I? Whose am I? Who are We? What are we?

Today – we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, Feast of the Holy Spirit – Who guides us to all truth, Who reminds us of who we are – we are the beloved sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, therefore, co-heirs to the Kingdom of God… We are the Body of Christ; we are His Church; we are the temples of the Holy Spirit. That is what and who we are…

The truth is - “In Christ, there is no such thing as an ordinary life.” As the late Pope Benedict XVI said: “We were not made for comfort. We were made for greatness.” … to soar like the eagle, so to speak.

Admittedly, at times - we get so bogged down by struggles and temptations in this world and we lose perspective and we do not and cannot hear the voice of God anymore with all the worldly noises - so - we need to listen to the voice of God… even for a few minutes each day… in prayer.

Jesus said, 'If you hold on to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32)
- Free for what? - Free to be the person God meant us to be. That is when we will be truly happy.

Pentecost is not the commemoration of a historical event. Pentecost is the affirmation of the reality of the living God in our lives… the presence of God’s Spirit within us.

A little girl was asked: “Is God big or small?” She replied: “God is so big that the entire universe cannot contain Him… but God is so small that He lives in my heart…” - That is the truth…

We have heard and have been taught many times that the Holy Spirit that filled St. Peter and the other apostles on first Pentecost Sunday is the same Holy Spirit poured unto us at our baptism… but we have heard it so often - that we no longer feel the impact of its meaning. But - think for a moment - what an awesome thing it is to say, “The eternal God lives in me.” The Spirit of Christ is in me. God did not just give us gifts – God gave us His very life… so, we can share in His divine life.

 So - Please say with me: “The eternal God lives in me.” (Repeat) It think it will do us good to keep repeating this phrase to ourselves… and to continue to reflect on this reality… It will be great to remind ourselves of this everyday….

 … May be – say the phrase at the beginning of each day… Because this is a life-changing realization, life-changing awareness - if we truly accept it and truly believe it…. “The eternal God lives in me.” The Risen Christ is in me.

 It is an incredible thought, but it is the unmistakable message of Pentecost.

 Gifts come with a mission.

 In the Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace be with you” – and as Pope Francis said: “that is not a greeting, not even a simple good wish - it is actually a gift… of true peace and of Mercy…

 Jesus did not blame them for abandoning him but instead - He said “Peace be with you” .... because the apostles needed to hear those words of forgiveness for themselves for their own failures as disciples…. So that – in turn – having experienced the mercy and forgiveness of God - they can announce the Good News of God’s mercy – the Good News of the forgiveness of sins – so that forgiveness will flow through them - to others – to the world.

 “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” – Jesus is telling that same thing to us.

The Spirit of Jesus has been given to us not just for ourselves but for a world that longs for love, that longs for meaning in life.

There are people out there – maybe the people sitting right next to you – in front of you or behind you - starting with our own family members - longing for an experience of God, longing for the Spirit of Jesus. They are seeking people who know God… who know not just about Jesus... but who know Jesus
- and who walk in His way…

There are people and probably you may know some of them - who in the way they live their lives, others can see the fruits of the Holy Spirit… - People see in them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

People are looking for people who not only know about justice and compassion but they are looking for people who are just and compassionate.

The great work that began on first Pentecost Sunday continues through us. Remember that the Holy Spirit is IN US. He will reveal to us His wisdom to you and me a little bit at a time, allowing us to grow into holiness at just the right pace…uniquely for each one of us.

And so – we pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of us - your faithful - and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth, THROUGH US!!

 AMEN.

(Pentecost Sunday – Cycle B –
May 19, 2024 – Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15)

Homily for Feast of Hope - Feast of Ascension and Mother’s Day

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven – Jesus leaves our earthly space to enter the fullness of the glory of God in heaven – taking our humanity with Him. Our humanity enters heaven for the first time.

Jesus – true God is also true man – and with human body is in heaven and we can look to recognize our future before us.

We must continue to believe what is beyond belief, hope in that which is more than we can understand.

The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus is a celebration of the Christian hope, a Feast of Hope… our hope to share in Jesus’ Resurrection

The Blessed Virgin Mary was the first to do so given her sinless state when the Blessed Mother was assumed into heaven body and soul…  that is also what awaits us… to be with Mama Mary in heaven, body and soul.

What Jesus has already accomplished in His Resurrection - is what we look forward to in hope at the end of time.

When Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead, every human body will rise, will endure the final purification and transformation, and will share in the new and resurrected state in which the faithful will be able to stand, body and soul, before the Most Holy Trinity and experience the fullness of the Beatific Vision forever.

If we live in Christ, if we die in Christ – then we will rise in Christ.  Let us continue strive and live our lives with Christ as the center and focus of our lives.

Jesus ascended into heaven. But He did not leave us. Just before the Lord ascended, he promised that he would be with us always until the end of the age… meaning when Jesus ascended to heaven, it does not mean He went up to heaven miles and miles away up there.  Jesus is actually closer to us in more intense presence… more than we can ever imagine.

Like the apostles, we have been commissioned to go out and preach with our lives that Jesus lives… bear witness with our every day life…

… that Jesus is risen indeed and we look forward to share in His resurrection.

After Jesus ascended and sent the Holy Spirit, the small group of disciples proclaimed Jesus Christ to the world. And Christ worked through them. And He worked through their successors. Now, Jesus works through us.

Proclaiming the gospel means far more than teaching articles of faith…

Proclaiming the Gospel means making the presence of Christ a reality in the world.  People do not become Christians through of the words of Christianity. People become Christians through the presence of Jesus Christ in us – working through us  … People experience God’s love, grace and mercy through us.

The Lord our God has given us the Spirit of Christ so that God can be with every believer and every congregation in the world.  We are grateful that Jesus went away – went up to heaven so to speak - so that our faith will grow strong in his service. 

St . Teresa of Avila said it so beautifully:

Christ has NO body now on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world.

Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Meaning – To All Christians, the Baptized, Christ has no physical body now on earth but yours, mine. We are the Body of Christ.

God is calling every single one of us to participate in His saving work and to use the gifts we have been given… in loving service of one another for the love of God who laid down His life for us.  Admittedly, to be a Christian is not easy – not a bed of roses, so to speak … does not exempt us from pains and sufferings… but God promised that He will be us through pains and sufferings.

Jesus said: Pick up your cross daily and follow me.

Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Do not be afraid to suffer.

When struggles or pains in life happens, we must see them as a means to a much greater good. Just as the pains of childbirth lead to the gift of a child, so the pains of bringing forth God’s will in our lives will lead to the presence of God Himself.

Patient endurance is a virtue that is especially important. For example, the pain  of overcoming an addiction, or the struggle of praying when we don’t feel like praying, or the struggle of forgiving someone who hurt us are all examples of pain turning into blessings. Joy is found in every difficulty we endure for the Kingdom of God.

Every experience we have unites us with Christ. But the joy is not always our first experience. It is only experienced when we patiently endure the situation we are facing.

Let us see them as a means to a glorious end. Endure the “labor pains”, so to speak, of the purification and mission God is calling us to by looking beyond the difficulties we initially experience so that we will see the end result that awaits us.

Let us pray that we patiently endure the crosses in our life and give us hope to see that from them God will bring forth the good fruit of eternal joy.

Talking about “labor pains” and “pains of child birth” and “making the presence of Christ a reality in the world” - Today, we celebrate Mother’s Day.

There is an old Jewish proverb that goes, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.”  Mothers are the embodiment of God’s love. 

A mother’s love is unconditional. Our mothers love us whether we are beautiful or ugly, smart or dull, able-bodied or handicapped; whether a success or a failure in society, whether we are grateful or ungrateful.

All these qualities of a mother’s love are for us a foretaste of God’s tender and untiring love for us. And this is what we are celebrating today.

We are celebrating mothers because through their hands God cares for us when we are in need; through their mouths God speaks to us words of consolation when we are heartbroken; through our mother’s heart God pours out to us his unconditional love that never gives up on us.

Today we acknowledge and appreciate our mothers and we say, “God bless you mothers.”

Of course, we cannot and should not forget spiritual mothers because the fact of life is that there are women who cannot be literally mothers – because of one reason or another… and so we also pray for them because they have been and they are so motherly in their own way.

Happy Mothers’ Day!

God bless…

What is True Love?

Imagine for a moment Jesus is speaking to you. What feelings arise in you as you hear Jesus say, “You are my friend,” and as you hear him say “I love you”? How does that make you feel?

Do you truly believe God loves you?  Until you truly believe that God loves you, the truth is - you cannot truly love others. We can only truly love from our own experience of the love of God.

On the other hand – Do you truly love God? But you see - love of God and love of neighbor are inseparable, they form a single commandment.

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 Jn 4:20).

- meaning - love of neighbor is a path that leads to the encounter with God, and that closing our eyes to our neighbor also blinds us to God.

Only if we love and serve our neighbor - can our eyes be opened to what God does for us and how much God loves us.

Pope Francis said: “True love is not the love of which soap operas are made of.”

The word “love” has become one of the most frequently used and misused of words and people attach quite different meanings on the word love.

We hear people say they fell out of love. We have to wonder – were they truly in love to start with?  Maybe, they are not willing or ready to make the sacrifice as true love is.

As we heard in the readings today, for St. John - true love is found not in the way humans usually love but in the way God loves.

Jesus is the perfect manifestation or visible expression of God’s love.

God proved his boundless love for us in the fact that God loved us even before we were deserving of God’s love.   (Romans 5:8) – Christ died for us while we were still sinners…. even when we were unlovable - Jesus died for us… as expiation or atonement for our sins.

To truly love is to give ourselves to the one we love, to give ourselves to the people we truly love. Loving means more than being kind, more than being nice, more than being sympathetic or compassionate. True love means giving one’s self. True love is love in which the self is given.

Love is willing or wanting the good of the other… even our enemies.  You want your enemies to convert instead of revenge.

Humans often love because they want to receive something back, even as simple as simply feeling good in the other person’s company.

Often, before humans love they ask themselves, “What is in it for me?” What is in it for me in this relationship?

Human love has limits beyond which it will not go… but the love of God is unconditional – has no boundaries – no limits – is constant and trustworthy

Jesus said: This is my commandment: love one another as I love you… no longer “love one another as you love yourself” because at times we do not even know how to love ourselves… that is why Jesus said: “Love one another as I love you.”

For us to be able to love as Jesus commanded, something must happen to us on the inside... we must have Christ in us.

We must have Christ as the true center of our life… which will utterly transform us because in this loving relationship we have with Christ – the love will flow forth from us affecting every action we do and every relationship we have. With Christ in us - It is now the love of Christ that

loves others; it is now the love of Christ that forgives others.

Only Christ living within us can enable us to live as Christ lived, to love as Christ loved. 

So – the question is – what sense or signs do you have that Christ is truly living in you or present in your life?  Would others know Christ is in you when you meet them - when you deal with others? Are you someone people are comfortable with or at peace when you are around them or are you someone people are irritated or annoyed when you are around?

True love is more than a fleeting emotion.  Jesus did not say, “love each other if you feel like it.”  Love is a matter of the will.  It is not a feeling. It is a choice.  A daily choice. 

Again - Loving our neighbor as Jesus loved us is possible only by the grace of God. With Christ in our lives, if we are in communion with Christ, we can love even the person whom we do not like or even know.

We do not have to life everyone, but we have to love them.

We have been chosen to work for the Kingdom of God. As we heard in the Gospel: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit,” We have to realize that - because we have been chosen, we have to have rules for a way of life that is truly Christian.  We have to deny our immature desires for the sake of the infinitely greater good of the Kingdom of God.

This seems to be just a concept – so, to better understand - Some concrete real life stories and examples may help. 

A young boy, fourteen years old, gets his first after school job working in his grandfather’s little store.  After a few months, his grandfather felt confident that the boy could be left to handle the store alone for brief periods of time.  The store was in a quiet neighborhood. But during one of the few times when the boy was alone the store was robbed.  And the boy was shot to death. 

A few days later the robbers were captured.  That was the same day as the boy’s funeral. A news reporter interviewed the grandfather and told him that the police caught the murderers.  Then he asked him if he wanted the men to receive capital punishment – death penalty.  The grandfather looked shocked at the question.  “I cannot wish that,” he said, “I am a Christian, I am not permitted to revenge.”  Christianity imposes limits.

You are aware that Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta was often asked why she spent so much time and energy helping people who were going to die anyway, and most of them not even Christian.  Her answer was that she had no choice.  She was a Christian, committed to serving Jesus, because Jesus identified with the poorest of the poor.

You may not have heard the story of Princess Alice, the second daughter of Queen Victoria of England.  The princess married and had a child, a baby boy.  When the child was four, he came down with a terrible disease at the time called black diphtheria.  It was highly contagious.  There was no cure and no hope.  The doctors and nurses told the princess that she had to stay away from her son.  Her own health was frail. 

One day as she stood at the door of her little boy’s room, she heard him whispering to a nurse, “Why doesn’t my Mommy hold me and kiss me anymore?”  That was more than Princess Alice could bear.  She then did what any loving mother would do.  She ran to her son’s bed, hugged him and kissed him.  She had no choice.  She had to show her love.  He needed her. Within weeks, she came down with the same illness.  Both mother and son were buried together.

The choice of love demands that we accept limitations on our lives and even pain and suffering in order to love as Jesus loved.  Parents respond to their baby’s cries in the middle of the night.  They have no choice if they really love their child.  But that choice takes sacrifice.  This is the meaning of true love. A teenager listens to a friend’s story who is having difficulties with his family.  The other teen needs an ear that understands.  The first teen would much rather be listening to music, or playing video games, but has no choice but to be present – to listen – to his suffering friend. Christianity demands it. 

A retiree spends a few hours each day with an elderly neighbor.  He would rather be fishing or golfing, but he has no choice but to visit the homebound neighbor. 

An auto mechanic repairman – helped this traveling family whose car was stuck – and it was already after the garage’s hours so the poor folks can get on the road and get their kids to bed.  He would rather be with his own family, but he is a Christian, he has no choice. And on and on… and you probably have your won love stories to share – stories of loving sacrifice. Millions of little routine daily sacrifices make the greatest life there ever was - a reality in our world.

Love, the true love of Jesus, imposes limits on us.  Love is sacrificial.  When we look at the cross, we realize the life that we have been chosen to lead. Jesus said: “Pick up your cross daily and follow me.”  We have been chosen to make Jesus’ life a reality.  He died for others. So, are we willing to die to ourselves for the love of God – to serve our neighbors.

To put it very simply.  If we have been chosen by Christ, and we have, then we have to accept His way of life, the way of limits, the way of sacrificial love.

Amen.

God bless…

What Have You Done and Going to Do With Your Life?

What does the image of Jesus being the Good Shepherd mean for us – practically speaking - in our day and age and society – in which we no longer see or hear or talk about shepherds…

This image of Jesus being the Good Shepherd and that we are the sheep is a profound statement of reality… 

Domestic sheep are some of the most dependent creatures on earth.  In the presence of natural enemies, they are virtually helpless. They do not have the speed to run away.  They do not have the strength to fight.  For the most part, they rely on the shepherd to guide them to pasture. They cannot even look or search for their own food.  Left alone in the wilderness, they are at the mercy of the elements and predators and they will not survive.  Keep that image in mind 

To say - We are the sheep means - the truth is – there are times when the challenges of life are beyond us… there are times when the struggles we have in life are greater than our own strength.

Well - If you have not yet experienced it, reality check - the fact of life is that - sooner or later it happens to all of us.

We do not have all the answers to all of life’s questions.  We cannot solve all of the problems, and we cannot carry all of the burdens with our own strength.

This reality or fact of life comes to us in many different ways… at different times and moments of our lives. 

…And sooner or later, we will find that we are not as strong as we think we are.  There are just circumstances of life beyond our control, and we, like the sheep, must depend on the Shepherd.

This is a very humbling realization - to realize that truth - about ourselves; but - the Good News is – it is such a comforting thought - that our Shepherd – Jesus - is dependable.  Jesus wants you and me to know that we are safe and secure under His care.  We can depend on Him… He is not like the hired hands who will abandon us when things get rough.

Christ is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep…and Christ has the power to take it up again. Christ is Risen… He has conquered sin and death.  He is alive and He is with us and He is in us.

Jesus said: “Do not be afraid.  In this world, you will have troubles, but take heart (do not be afraid), I have overcome the world…”

But – of course - we have our free will – and so we always have a choice whether to continue to be shepherded by Christ or not; whether to continue to follow Him or not.

Right now – at this point in your life – Who or What is the source of your sense of security?  …  Who or what is your source of hope and courage and strength?  In other words: Who is your shepherd?

When the followers of Jesus found His teachings too difficult to believe and to follow – they started leaving Him and when Jesus asked His apostles if they would abandon or leave Him also like the other disciples who left - Peter said:  “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." (Jn 6:68-69)

Our society is getting to be more and more secular and even atheistic.  There are so many shepherds out there – hired shepherds.  There are so many voices.  More and more leaders are forgetting spiritual realities and they are just trusting worldly or material prosperity. The leaders are trusting more their own cunning, intellect and power rather than the living God.

It is so fitting that today – traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday – that we celebrate also World Day of Prayer for Vocations… because we need to pray for more Christian shepherds…. For more Christian Leaders in the true sense of the word… because there are leaders out there who claim to be Godly, claiming to be Christians but they really make you wonder…

Jesus commissioned Peter to feed his lambs and to tend his sheep (John 21:15-16)… meaning - shepherding God’s flocks is an ongoing task, ongoing mission that is entrusted to the whole church - to all of us - with Peter as the head… with the Pope, Pope Francis, the successor of Peter - as the head. Today as World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we are especially invited to reflect on the meaning of God's call and to pray for vocations.

Christian thinking on vocation has been summarized in one profound saying: "All are priests, some are priests, only one is a priest."

Only one is a priest – refers to the unique priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only one perfect mediator between God and humanity… who is fully God and fully human.

Some are priests – refers to the ministerial priesthood of some of the faithful, those who are called to make a lifelong commitment to serve as ordained ministers… called to the work of shepherding the flock of God… like the priests and religious or those in consecrated life.  They are called to share more closely than the rest of the believers in the life and work of Jesus the Good Shepherd.  They are NOT hired shepherds.  They are not employees.

Our pastor Father Glenn and Father Peping are not hired employees of the Church.  They – too - lay down their lives for the flock of Jesus – for us.

Priesthood is NOT a career like being a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc.  Priests are NOT hired hands. They are giving their lives for the sake of the flock of Christ.

The challenges for the Church to be the voice of the Good Shepherd - are many …  but true shepherds are few.

So - If today you should hear God's voice calling you to priesthood or religious/consecrated life, harden not your hearts. And if you do not hear God calling you to this way of life, then – at least - do everything in your power to encourage and support those who are called to priestly or religious life;

And also – let us continue to pray and encourage those who struggle in their vocations - even with faltering steps - to follow the footsteps of Jesus - the Good Shepherd.

“Only one is a priest; some are priests; all are priests.

All are priests – refers to the universal priesthood of all believers.  By virtue of our baptism in Christ… we all share in the priesthood of Christ… In the first letter of Peter (1 Peter 2:9) – addressed to Christians – to us - “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…”… Meaning - We – also - are all called to be priest to one another…

St . Teresa of Avila said it so beautifully:

Christ has NO body now on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world.

Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Meaning – To All Christians, the Baptized, Christ has no physical body now on earth but yours. You are the Body of Christ, the Good Shepherd.

God is calling every single one of us to participate in shepherding God’s flock and to use the gifts we have been given… in loving service of one another for the love of God who laid down His life for us. 

Let me close with these questions and challenges:

So, we are invited to think about our life we have been given and what we do with it.

For those of us who have been in the journey of life for many years, advance in years, so to speak – what have you done with your life?  Just in case, God willing, there is still tomorrow, you can still do better.

For the younger ones: what are you going to do with your life?  Think about it and do not let life ran away from you.

The worst we can do with life is to live life without thinking about it – not really thinking where my life goes.

With our Christian faith, by the grace of God, hopefully, we all hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and guide us to the path of life God has chosen for us.

God’s Love and Divine Mercy

The greatest message of Jesus in all of the Gospels is Mercy.

In the Gospel of John (3:17) -"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”  God does not desire the destruction of sinners but the conversion of sinners.

The message of God’s Divine Mercy and forgiveness - that flows from God’s abundant love - is the very source of our hope… hope that does not disappoint.

As written in the Diary of St. Faustina, Jesus told her: “If you were to take all of the sins ever committed on earth, they would not amount to a grain of sand in comparison to the ocean of the Divine Mercy of God.”

God wants us to recognize that His mercy is infinitely greater than our sins. Romans 8:38-39: “Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus”.  So, we are all invited to call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. 

For those who have not been confession in a long time, do you remember the first thing you say? We start with: “Bless me Father for I have sinned.” 

Doesn’t it sound odd or strange?  It seems there is some audacity or boldness or even arrogance in those words. We sinned and yet we come to Christ – in the person of the priest and we dare to say: “Bless me Father for I have sinned…”  It seems more natural or more correct to say: “Give me penance…” or “Spare me… for I have sinned.”  But we start with: “Bless me, for I have sinned? “

There is a profound truth there.  Blessing is not deserving.  Blessing is not payment for good works.  Blessing is not earned. Quite the opposite, blessing is the gift one receives by pure grace and mercy. Grace is getting what we do not deserve.  Mercy is not getting the punishment we deserve.

And - When one receives a blessing - it says more about the goodness of the one who blesses or the one who gives the blessing than the goodness of the one being blessed.

St Paul in his letter to the Romans (5:8) – “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession – is one of the greatest gift of God to His Church for us - through which we experience God’s mercy - through Christ – with Christ – in Christ…

Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis have all repeatedly said: “The greatest sin today is that people have lost their sense of sin.

We are all tempted and we fall into sin.  It's part of life's normal struggle. But the problem - the most serious problem is - not so much the temptation and us falling into sin against God’s commandments, but the problem is our behavior and attitude towards sin.  

With all due respect - we have become masters in justifying ourselves.  We always find an alibi that explains our shortcomings.  People think everything can now be explained away… or rationalized… or cleared through psychotherapy.

“It is always the other person’s fault”… “Everyone is doing it.”  And so - people do not think in terms of sin anymore, they no longer feel sorry and repentant and therefore, in their mind, there is no need to change and that is why people do not go to confession anymore.

 The truth is – whether you like it or not – whether you believe it or not: - the truth is -  Salvation will not come from our cunning,  not from our cleverness, not from our intelligence. Salvation comes from God's grace and how we train every day of our Christian life cooperating with God’s grace.

We live in troubled times - in the midst of trials, violence and hatred in the world, in the midst of struggles in life, God wants the world He created and loved - to know Him in a relationship of intimate trust.

The message of the Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us— all of us.

God does not love us because of the good things we do; we are loved because of our need of God’s love.  God is love.

 The truth is – quite a paradox - we experience the loving presence of God not so much in our giftedness or talents – not when things are going well - but we experience God’s love - more so - in our struggles and brokenness.  In our weakness, we experience the love of God more deeply.

Babe Ruth, the famous professional baseball player, drifted away from his faith during his career.  One night he was very ill in a New York hospital, and a friend suggested that he make his peace with God.  As a result, Babe Ruth asked to see a priest.  After celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation, Babe Ruth wrote:

 “As I lay in bed that evening, I thought to myself - what a comfortable feeling to be free from fear and worries.  I could simply turn them over to God.”

Wow!  What an experience of peace – in trusting God’s mercy - in being reconciled with God.

Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, a theologian, a mystic – said: “We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God.” – that is the bottom line.

The message of Divine Mercy is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC: - back to the basics.

A - Ask for God’s Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour out His mercy upon us and upon the whole world. 

Jesus told St. Faustina: What offends Jesus more than the sins people commit is people’s lack of trust in His mercy. 

Jesus also told St. Faustina: “If you think you are a greater sinner than the others, the more you have a greater claim, the more you have a greater right to My Mercy.”

Jesus said: “Let them come to me.  Everyone who comes to seek my mercy, I will not disappoint them.”  “I will grant them the remission of all their sins, even if they be as scarlet; even if they be more than the grains of sand on the seashore and even if they are as many as the stars in the heavens.”

A - Ask for God’s mercy.

B - Be merciful.

What did Jesus say – the first thing he said the first time he met his disciples after His Resurrection?  He did not condemn them or judge or got angry at them.  He just said: “Peace be with you.” – so that the disciples would experience His mercy so that in turn they would be merciful

 God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us. Our being forgiven of our sins depends on our being merciful ourselves  also towards others.  As in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” If you want to be forgiven, now you know what to do.The first step in being merciful with others is to reflect on and be aware of our own sinfulness and the countless times we have been forgiven instead of judging those who have sinned against us.

 Think of the “worst” person you can think of; think of the worst people you can think of. Has it ever occurred to you … that if you were given the opportunity or if you were put in the same situation…  that you would have done also those same bad things people did, maybe even worse? Do not be proud now.

A – Ask for God’s mercy.

B – Be merciful

C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust Jesus, the more we will receive. 

 "Jesus, I trust in You!"  This prayer clearly expresses the attitude with which we, too would like to abandon ourselves trustfully in the hands of our only Savior – Jesus Christ.

 Let me close with the Divine Mercy message from Pope Francis:

“God is waiting for us. Let us find the courage to return to His house, allowing ourselves to be loved by him, to dwell in his loving wounds, and to encounter his mercy in the sacraments. We will feel his wonderful tenderness, we will feel his embrace, and we too will become more capable of mercy, patience, forgiveness and love.” 

 God bless…

Enter into the Story of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection

Out of fifty-two weeks each year, we call this week holy. Holy Week. Why? Because we commemorate during this week that which is at the heart of the story of our faith… the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We especially remember how much the Son of God loved us.  We can say: He loved us to death and to His Resurrection that gives us hope.

You know the story of this week. It begins with a triumphal entry – like that of kings and conquering heroes returning victorious from battle. The people run out from the city. They spread their outer garments and palm branches along the road. They shout, “Hosanna!” “Hosanna” is the Greek word meaning, “Save, we beseech thee.”  The name Jesus means “God saves”.

Jerusalem, has been waiting a long time for her savior to come. She has dreamed for generations of another King David. Israel wanted a Messiah-King, and Jesus came talking about his kingdom. The people saw both divinity and royalty in Jesus, the miracle worker.

All the characters in this drama, so to speak, suddenly discovered that they all have different understanding and different intentions compared to what Jesus had in mind and what was in His heart.

Not only Herod. Not only Pilate. Not only the high priest and members of the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders of the Jews. But even Jesus’ friends, as well. And not only Judas, among his followers. Peter denied him three different times. Ultimately all the disciples forsook him and fled. Every one in this drama misunderstood who Jesus is and what He is about. That is also our story.

When it became apparent that Jesus was not whom they expected, all the “Hosannas” died and the multitude became a scornful mob yelling for blood. So, how do you explain such a week? How does a triumphal entry lead so quickly to a public execution?

Have you ever thought, “If I had been there, I would have done something or said something”? Don’t miss the point. You and I were there. I am a face in that crowd that went from exclaiming, “Hosanna!” to shouting, “Crucify him!” We belong to those same religious-political establishments and the crowd - so preoccupied with their prejudiced ideas – or concepts of who or what God is – how the Messiah will come and how he works in our lives.

We are among the followers who betrayed him, denied him, and forsook him.

Pope Francis in a homily for Palm Sunday challenged us to ask the question:

Who am I?

Who am I before the Lord as He entered Jerusalem?

Who am I before the suffering Jesus?

Am I like Judas, or Pilate or Peter?

Am I like the sleeping apostles or the soldiers who struck the Lord?

Am I like Simon, the Cyrenian who helped Jesus carry His cross?

 Am I like those who walked by Jesus on the cross and mocked Him?

Am I like the fearless women and Mary, His mother who were there and suffered in silence?

 Which of these people am I like?

Where is my heart?

Or, maybe, you can relate to Jesus’ words: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Maybe, you are at this point in your life when it seems God has forsaken you.  He seems to be absent and yet, you are here and you continue to believe that God loves you.

I encourage you this coming week – to make time, spend time – reflecting – examining your conscience; your life, how your life has been; the meaning of your life and to enter into the Story of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection… and maybe you can find your place in the drama, so to speak, of Holy Week… Get into the story of the Holy Week.

On this Palm Sunday and coming Holy Week, let us ask ourselves – Will this be just another Palm Sunday? Another Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday.

Same priests and same ministers.  Same old liturgy.  Could I be among those who see, feel, and think nothing?  … that this coming Holy Week will just come and then be gone? Please be not like that.

You see - This week can become really holy for us in ways we do not expect. Sometimes we experience something new in the old story that forces us to a new level of understanding…. Understanding ourselves, understanding of God and others, understanding of reality. We may not want to do this, and it may be painful, but it is always important.

Since the first day of Lent, we have been challenged to change and give up our self-centered habits – by praying, fasting and alms-giving.

 During Lent, actually during our life – but particularly during Lent - we are called to follow Jesus on the way to the cross.  Admittedly, we do not want to suffer. On the cross, Jesus reveals to us both his infinite love and his complete self-renunciation or dying to self – complete surrender to the will of God – complete trust in God the Father.

As we get closer to the end of our Lenten journey, we are asked:

Are we a better person, a better Christian now than we were last Ash Wednesday?

Have our old self-centered selves died? 

Have we reached out to those in need, just as Jesus did?

Have we died to ourselves in order to serve our neighbor?

And therefore - Have we produced more fruit.”

Or are we the same old self-centered, self-absorbed, self-pre-occupied selves that we were when our Lenten journey started?

May these questions remain with us throughout the entire week.

Have a Blessed Holy Week.

God bless..

God Loves You; Be the Light of the World

I need your cooperation to try something with me. If you could please close your eyes.  Everyone – including those standing in the back – just lean or hold on to something or someone - Please close your eyes - no peeking.  Are they closed? Please do not open your eyes until I tell you. But, please do not sleep…

I will ask you a few questions but just respond to them in your mind.

Now, sitting there – or standing there - in the darkness – so to speak, how do you feel?  Is it comforting and restful?  Or scary and unsettling?  Would your answer change if I asked you to keep your eyes closed for the rest of the day?  How would it feel to have to feel your way around in total darkness - in the church – at your homes - wherever you go?

Now open your eyes.  Thank you for cooperating. Aren’t you glad you can see? 

… which is something we tend to take for granted… and not appreciate.

Imagine a world NOT being able to see anything.  Even the most safe environment can become frightening and unsettling when it is dark or when lights are turned out.

You See - Jesus used this basic human preference for light as we heard in our gospel reading today to illustrate the impact of His coming into the world… what His becoming one of us really meant – It was like suddenly turning on the light switch - in a world that had been locked in darkness.

It was like – we are blind and because Jesus came and became one of us – now, we can see! – See what? – See the truth about ourselves, about our fellow human being – about our world – See the truth about what life is all about, the truth about how much God loves us – unconditionally. Jesus showed us God’s unfathomable and inexhaustible mercy.  Jesus is the Truth. When Jesus came to be with humanity, his presence with us brought light into dark corners of the mind and soul of humankind.

The scribes and pharisees of Jesus’ time were so blind, in their unbelief and prejudiced ideas that God was right in front of them but they did not recognize Him; they even killed Him. That is why Jesus said: “You look but you do not see; you hear or listen but you do not understand.” (Mt 13:13)  We are all like that at times.

Christ our Lord came among us as the light of the world that we might walk in His light.  And Jesus is asking you and me, “Do we prefer darkness or light?”

That is the deciding question of our life.

So – let us ask ourselves - What situations in your life right now appear to you as a choice between light and darkness?

We have to choose between light and darkness, between good and evil, (sometimes, it is kind of gray and we do not know), between love of God or love of worldly things that keep us from living in the light of Christ. 

In the Gospel Reading today, Saint John explains to us the true cause of so much sadness, suffering and struggles and sin in the world.  He tells us that even though Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, came to the world, humanity preferred the darkness instead of the light.   Many people turn their backs on God, they sin and act and live their lives as if God does not exist.

As Pope Pius XII once said: "The greatest sin in our generation is that it has lost all sense of sin." – meaning people now think everything is "relative" and can be explained away or rationalized and therefore, people do not feel sorry for the bad things they did and so they do not repent… they do not go to confession anymore and they remain in sin… they remain in darkness.

The late Pope Benedict XVI said in his homily – I quote: “Relativism is, letting oneself be "tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine". We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive (meaning - no more absolute truth) and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires.

The Pope continued: “We, however, as Christians – we have a different goal: which is - the Son of God, the true man. Christ is the measure of true humanism. An "adult" faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us a criterion by which to distinguish the true from the false, to distinguish deceit from truth.”

We usually think of Judgment Day in terms of the end of the world or Jesus’ second coming or when we die.

But actually, judgment occurs each day of our lives.  How we live, the choices we make every day, what we do or do not do, is judgment – we judge ourselves… because they have eternal ramification or consequences.  Our choices and our deeds or failure to do what we are supposed to do - determine our eternal destiny. 

So - We make judgment on ourselves by the choices we make every day.  As has been said: “God does not send anyone to hell; rather, we judge ourselves.”

From the Gospel we heard: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

We also heard - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” But you see - Believing in Jesus does not mean only an intellectual assent or agreeing being convinced that Jesus is who He says He is.  Even the devil believes that and trembles.

Faith is an act of the will – we were given free will and we have to make a decision to place our trust in God, in Jesus – to have a personal loving trusting relationship – entrusting our life to Him completely.

“Come into the light,” Jesus invites us.  It is a choice for each of us.  If we can get used to darkness, we can also get used to light.

Today – it is what we call Laetare Sunday… the middle of the penitential season of Lent and we are called to Rejoice!  Why?  The Church invites us to reflect on God's love for the world and to be joyful because of it. God loves each and everyone of us, so much so that He gave us His only son… to save us from living in darkness.  God never and will never give up on any of us.  No one is beyond God’s power to heal and save, no matter what you have done, no matter what your past may have been.  God is always faithful even when we are unfaithful.

Today we are invited to say yes to God's love.  God loves us unconditionally; no ifs, no buts. This is the kind of love God has for us. This is the kind of love we should have for one another. This is the kind of love that is lived in heaven.

We were created to live the good life… That is God’s plan for us… to share in God’s divine life of love… even here on earth.   We were created in the image and likeness of God who is love and so our very nature is to love – sacrificial love – giving of ourselves for the good of others… That is what life is all about.

 Just as God so loved the world that gave His only Son – we are called to a life of good deeds prepared for us by the Lord…even our good works is a gift from God, so we cannot boast. Everything is by the grace of God.

 When we change our lives, when we choose to do good – when we choose to follow Christ as our light, we also become light for others.

God does not want us to simply avoid evil or avoid doing bad but more importantly, He invites us to do good. True generosity is what brings us peace and fulfillment to our lives.

Jesus said: “You are the light of the world.  Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”  (Mat. 5:14-16)

So let us ask ourselves - What can you and I do these coming days to bring good news to someone especially those who are hopeless, despairing and troubled?  In other words – how can we be like Christ in being a light in other people’s darkness… or how can our presence in people’s lives serve as a source of goodness, of hope, of love - as Christ is?   

My brothers and sisters in Christ, may the Light of God shine in our hearts so that we might reflect to the world the glory shining on the face of Christ.

Amen.

“The Grace of Confession and Holy Communion”

After healing the leper: Jesus said: “See that you tell no one anything…”

The question is: Why did Jesus command people to not tell others of the miracles He performed? … Because - Jesus did not want people to misunderstand who He really was and what His true mission was… what He’s all about.  He did not want to be thought of - only as a mere miracle worker.

The deepest meaning of his Being, his mission, his ministry could be understood only after His Resurrection.

After Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:2-3) – after Peter, James and John saw a glimpse of Jesus’ glory… As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus told them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

That is why after Jesus’ Resurrection and before ascending to heaven - Jesus said to his disciples, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, (meaning – Now, you can tell all – all about Me) – Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you and behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Meaning - Now, since we know Christ better – since we now have a greater knowledge and understanding of Who Jesus really is - our mission is - to proclaim the Good News of God’s love, grace, mercy and salvation through Jesus Christ - starting with our families.

As has been said; “You cannot give what you do not have.” It is important that we be united first with Jesus – it is important to be in communion with God first… to be in communion with the Body of Christ… to be able to fulfill our mission… to be what we are called to be.

Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches – apart from me – you can do nothing.”

…And as St. Paul said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The   question is:  What is it that separates us from God, from Christ and what breaks our communion with the Body of Christ, what breaks our relationship with one another and therefore causing us not to be able to fulfill our mission?  For some – they have already forgotten about this word - It is SIN - which is spiritual leprosy.

For lepers - In addition to physical suffering and pain, what was worse was that lepers were isolated from their family and excluded from the life of the community.

Like leprosy, sin has both personal and social impact …. Sin breaks the communion between the person and God and it also breaks the communion or the relationship between the person and the rest of the Body of Christ, the community.

And our Gospel story today is a beautiful example…. not just of Jesus healing the leper, but of what happens to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in Confession.  Jesus understood not only leprosy, but he understood also sin. 

And as with leprosy, when Jesus healed the leprosy and sent the person to the priest to allow him to return to the community, the same happens in confession.

Jesus is actually the one who heals us in the sacrament of Reconciliation.  The role of the priest as a confessor is very much the same role as those Jewish priests in the scriptures – which is to acknowledge the forgiveness given by God to the person, and in the name of the Church, in the name of the Body of Christ, to re-admit this lost sheep – so to speak - back into the fold – back into the community. 

We know from the teachings of the Church that if we have committed a mortal or serious sin, that we are NOT to receive Communion until first we have confessed our sins and have been absolved. 

Why? Because - When we celebrate and when we receive the Eucharist, we are – in essence - making a profound public act of faith (before others, before the community) - expressing that we are in complete union with God and with one another.  That is why we call the Eucharist – Holy Communion.

So - if our communion with God and with one another is broken by serious sin - before we would come up and make that public act of faith - we better make sure that we really are in communion with God and with one another… because you commit another more serious sin if you do that – if you receive Communion unworthily.

We make this public expression of faith when we receive Communion - So that the Eucharist is preserved as something that actually signifies what we say it signifies – Holy Communion with God and with one another.

Again - When you come to the table of the Lord and receive Holy Communion – you are actually publicly expressing that you are in union with God and with one another. 

Confession then makes sense when we remember to connect it to Holy Communion – to the Eucharist.  It is when people think of Confession separate from the Eucharist, that is when people begin to wonder or even question why going to Confession is even necessary.  We need to put these two profound sacraments – Confession and Holy Communion - back together again to really understand the WHY of Confession… why we need to go to confession … Why? …so we can receive Holy Communion - Jesus Himself – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

All the other Sacraments also point towards receiving Communion.

There are people who think that they do not have to go to confession.  And, what is really sad - is that they continue to receive the Holy Eucharist - as if it meant nothing to them – but just a Catholic thing to do… that is the extent of why they receive Communion.

Sadly, as Pope Pius XII said and as Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have all repeated. ... “The greatest sin today is that people have lost their sense of sin.”  That is because – people have lost their sense of identity – they lost their sense of who they belong to - who they are (beloved children of God) – people lost their sense of what they are meant to be… what life is all about.

People do not go to confession anymore… because they think and believe that everything can now be justified and rationalized and explained away based on worldly perspective… therefore, people do not take responsibility for their actions… because there is always something or someone to blame… other than themselves.

You see - SIN is real. Choices we make do impact our relationships… and have eternal consequences.

And it is very important to remember this – when it comes to sin – venial or mortal. If a person has committed a great sin, a serious sin - it lies heavy on his conscience; but if he is truly sorry, goes to Confession - he is forgiven and the guilt is taken away.  But if you are one of those who think – “I only have venial sin” - you see – if a person is constantly doing small things that are wrong, the danger is that he does not feel any more guilt at all, and so is not really sorry, does not go to confession and therefore he remains a sinner.  So you see, it is as important to avoid little sins as big ones.

You see - If you keep committing small sins, it will weaken your resolve and you will and pretty soon - will be committing more serious sin… that is reality check.

We, Catholics, have the great gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  That is where the Lord, through the priest, cures us of all of our spiritual sicknesses.

As in all Sacraments – Going to Confession is an intimate personal encounter with Jesus.  You are actually confessing your sins to Jesus and when the priest absolves – it is actually Christ who absolves your sins.

We should learn from the man with leprosy who, kneeling before Christ, humbly recognized that he was sick and needed to be cured of his sickness.  Our soul also needs to be healed.

I am saying this with all due respect: To those who come to Mass… but do not receive Communion - with all due respect - coming to Mass and not receiving Holy Communion – in a very simplified analogy - is like coming to a banquet but you do not eat… it does not make sense… But it is great that you come here – at least - and hopefully, eventually, you will be able to receive Communion.

To those who do not and cannot receive communion because of your personal reasons - please take this as an invitation to let us help you get over whatever obstacles you might have that prevent you from receiving Holy Communion - the Eucharist – Jesus Himself - the source and summit of Christian life… So – we invite you – let us help you – and come and see and taste the goodness of the Lord… Do not miss out on the amazing grace of the Eucharist.  Jesus is reaching out to you NOW.

 I think the response to our Responsorial Psalm (32) today evokes or expresses what we feel after Confession and after receiving Holy Communion:  “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.” Awesome! Beautiful!

 This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday… the beginning of Lent – the period when we are all invited again to examine our lives, to examine our consciences and to renew our covenant relationship with God… Who loves us and He is merciful.  

God bless…

Come and See

As we enter into Ordinary Time of the Church Liturgical year, please keep in mind that any Sunday in Ordinary Time is no less important than the other liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.

In fact, Sundays in Ordinary Time - are devoted to the mystery of Jesus in its fullness – for us to become more familiar with the Person of Christ and His way of living – and - on these Sundays in Ordinary Time - we focus more on various aspects of our faith, especially the mission of the church, our mission in the world… as individuals and as a community.

That is why - as we begin this season of the year, the Church takes us to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry… For the next two weeks we have various accounts of the calling of his closest disciples… to “come and see” and Jesus is extending the same invitation to each one of us….

Before I continue on our reflection on the Gospel, just side liturgical notes:

As we heard in the Gospel, John said: “Behold, the Lamb of God” – pointing to Jesus - the same words we hear the priest say as he raises the Eucharist…before Holy Communion -  so we are actually invited to gaze upon the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world…

“Behold” means – to look - but I notice people looking down instead of gazing at the Eucharist at that point.

So, I invite you to look with a loving gaze instead of bowing down and imagine Jesus calling you by your name and inviting you to enter into communion with Him… Emmanuel… God with us… either actually receiving Communion or at least Spiritual Communion.

After receiving Communion and partaking of the Body of Christ, as you walk back to your pew – focus on Jesus – NOT up there somewhere – but Jesus being IN you – and enjoy the company… so to speak… and when you get back to your pew - talk to Jesus and listen to what He’s telling you.

To those who do not and cannot receive communion because of certain personal reasons - please take this as an invitation to let us help you get over whatever obstacles you might have that prevent you from receiving Holy Communion  - the Eucharist - the source and summit of Christian life… So – we invite you – let us help you – and come and see and taste the goodness of the Lord.

That is the end of my liturgical notes:

“Come and See” – on that note - Let me continue our reflection with a story:

A young man, a spiritual seeker, once journeyed into the desert to visit an elderly monk. He found the monk sitting by the entrance to his hermitage with his dog sprawled out lazily nearby. 

The young man asked the monk a question, “Why is it, Abba, that some who seek God come to the desert and are zealous in prayer but they leave after a year or so, while others, like you, remain faithful to the quest for a lifetime?” 

The old man smiled and replied, “Let me tell you a story: “One day I was sitting here quietly in the sun with my dog.

Suddenly a large rabbit ran across in front of us.  Well, my dog jumped up, barking loudly, and took off after the rabbit.  He chased the rabbit over the hills with a passion.  Soon, other dogs joined him, attracted by his barking. 

What a sight it was, as the pack of dogs ran barking across stony embankments and through thickets and thorns! Gradually, however, one by one, the other dogs dropped out of the pursuit, discouraged by the harsh terrain and frustrated by the chase. Only my dog continued to pursue the rabbit. 

In that story, young man, is the answer to your question.” 

The young man sat in confused silence. Finally, he said, “Abba, I don’t understand. What is the connection between the rabbit chase and the quest for holiness?” 

“You fail to understand,” answered the old hermit, “because you have not asked the obvious question which is: ‘Why DIDN’T the other dogs continue on the chase?’ 

And the answer to that question is, ‘They had not seen the rabbit.’”

- meaning – the other dogs joined only because they were attracted only by the barking and the running.  By way of analogy, Jesus is the rabbit.

Meaning - My brothers and sisters - with all due respect – Are you Catholic Christians because you are just attracted by the rites and rituals and ceremonies – because you like the Catholic traditions?  Unfortunately – there are people who have religious practices and they are good at it.  They have relationship with religion but NO personal relationship with Jesus, the Risen Christ… but just going through the motions because it is a Catholic thing to do …

So – the question is - How real is the living Jesus Christ in your life?  

The late Pope Benedict XVI said – I quote, “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” - Unquote.  In other words, the Christian life is about meeting a person – Jesus - rather than just finding answers to theological questions… not just an intellectual pursuit.

God is not a mystery to be solved or concept to be understood, but God is a presence to experience… experiential knowledge of the loving merciful God.

Andrew and his companion had met Jesus, and they spent the remainder of the day with him.  Jesus asked the two disciples one of the most fundamental questions of life and Jesus is also asking each one of us: “What are you looking for in life?”  In other words: “What is the goal of your life?  What kind of person do you want to become? What do you truly desire? Please continue to reflect on these questions even after Mass.

What greater desire is there than to be with the Lord, than to stay with the Lord, than to know and do the will of God.

 In the Gospel reading, the two disciples saw “where Jesus was staying” – which does not mean just His physical place, but more profoundly where Jesus is – at what state of being – His way of living, His way of acting, His way of loving, His way of hoping.

Jesus is addressing each of us today in as personal a way as he addressed the two disciples.

Admittedly - To follow Christ or to be a disciple of Christ is something we know as not easy.  Even the apostles found it difficult to understand the mystery of Christ – they found it difficult to understand the ministry to which the Lord was calling them and that was why, at the beginning they followed Jesus – we can say “half-heartedly”. 

We are like that – we begin to follow Jesus – but when we see or experience difficulties in following him, when we find it difficult to understand and embrace and live by His teachings – Yes - we may continue to follow him - but without much devotion…just half-heartedly… just going through the motion.

But do not give up – the good news is - you see – as the apostles continued to live with Jesus, they began to know him better and they followed him with more devotion.   Like the apostles - as we continue to live our lives in Christ; as our relationship with Christ grows deeper, as our knowledge of Christ grows more and more, we should begin to see our devotion to him grow also more and more, and, with the grace – that the Lord gives us, our spiritual life will continue to be strengthened.  And we then begin – as one popular song goes – to see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, follow Him more nearly – day by day.

So let us persevere in our faith....  although at times not knowing where God is going to take us – let us continue to trust and follow Jesus the best we can … every day, not only on Sundays …  

Having met Jesus, the first thing that Andrew wants to do is to share this experience with his brother Simon Peter.  When we discover something very important and valuable – it is just but  - natural to want to share it with those closest to us – with those we love… The greatest gift we can give to the people we love – the greatest gift we can give as inheritance to our children – is our faith - Life in Christ… But – you cannot give what you do not have.

So, the question is - do you have life in Christ?  Do you have Jesus in your life? Not only on Sundays.

At the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus said: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” It is in the here and now.

What then is your response to Jesus’ invitation: “Come and See!”?

God bless…

(2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time  -  Cycle B - January 14, 2024 - John 1:35-42)

Striving to Make Our Families Holy

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – a model for us – as we strive to make our own families – also holy.

Holy Family.  These two words – Holy and Family – unfortunately are scorned in our society today. 

When people hear the word Holy - people think - too traditional – too serious – such a kill joy to be holy… and it is so unfortunate because people do not realize that true lasting joy, peace and happiness, fullness of life can be found in a holy life, God-centered life.

And - the word Family – this word is being re-defined now in our society and it now means all kinds of living arrangements or non-traditional families people get into…  They are re-defining marriage… anything goes… nowadays.  Families have been and continue to be greatly challenged and threatened from all fronts.  

And yet - we still cannot deny that families are a treasure all of us must value and protect and it is a great challenge for all of us to nurture this treasure that God has given us… because our families are God’s gift to us.

The heart of our parish is not this church. The heart of the universal church is not the Vatican 

Second Vatical Council Dogmatic Constitution on the Church states – “the heart of the church is the family” … referring to the family as the “domestic church” - the fundamental building block of the world – the foundation and hope of our society. 

As Saint Pope John Paul II said: “As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.”

Pope Francis and Cardinal Luis Tagle both mentioned that we should pay attention to our youth, the young people. And the family is still the single most significant influence to the youth.

The quality of our youth reflects to us the state and quality of our society. The state of the youth reflects to us what is happening in the family.

That is why it is so disturbing to hear and watch in the news cases of teen suicides and crimes being committed by the youth.

This raises the question for all Christian parents as to how to provide a family environment that makes it possible for our children to grow in faith and to grow in wisdom, to seek the will of God for their lives and to learn how to truly love? And the answer, of course, is to follow the example of the Holy Family… our model for Christian living and family life.

But - You might think: “Jesus is God, Mary was born without original sin, and Joseph had to be a saint to be able to deal with everything that happened. How can we possibly be like them?”

We forget that the three of them, including Jesus, were just as human as we are. Theirs was a real family who experienced many of the same challenges each of us experience. At the beginning of their family life, there was talk of divorce when Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant already even before they lived together.   Joseph must have felt so terrible when he had to bring his wife to a stable to give birth to their child.   After Jesus’ birth, they had to escape from Herod’s murderous intention, so they lived in a foreign country, Egypt, away from family.

When Jesus was twelve, His parents searched for him everywhere for three days.  You see, just like any family – they had their share of struggles and occasional tensions and misunderstandings.

Still, the Holy Family made it through the difficulties of their family life – How? - They had great faith and obedience to God’s will. God was at the center of their family life… that is the key… God-centered life.

What makes them holy - Jesus, Mary and Joseph – loved each other – out of obedience to God the Father… they all – individually and as a family - trusted the Heavenly Father – They placed their love for each other – love for their neighbors – within the wider, broader and deeper context of their love for God the Father… simply stated – they loved and cared for each other for the love of God the Father.

We need families like Joseph’s and Mary's -- grounded in faith, sustained by love, nourished by tradition.

Kind of paraphrasing 1st and 2nd readings: Husbands, you're called to serve your wives. Wives, you're called to serve your husbands.  Children, you're called to serve your parents.  Parents, you're called to serve your children… Jesus said "I came not to be served but to serve."   

As Christians, we are all called to serve. The first place we have to serve in - is at home. So, the question is: Are you in your family to serve or are you in your family to be served? Your answer makes a whole world of difference.

Holy families do not just happen. They are something we all consciously create – that every member of the family create – by working together and persevering – even in tough times.

This last Sunday of the calendar year – as we prepare to face the New Year – it is a wonderful time to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family…an ideal time to ask ourselves: How is my own family doing?  Is there peace at home?  Is there understanding and respect? Is there forgiveness? Is there Love? And very important: Do we place God above all? 

Our world desperately needs families - well-formed families whose children can grow and go on to form new, also well-formed, families… Again, the family is foundation and the hope of our society...

Side note: I would like to take this opportunity to extend invitation to couples, living together – and there are those who have children already - but not married, to consider getting married in the Church and to those who are married only civilly, we invite you to have your marriage blessed by the Church… convalidated. Take this as an invitation.

Let us help you to get to the point where you stand at the foot of the altar, as a couple before God and before His Church, and enter into NOT just a marriage contract but enter into covenant relationship with one another and as a couple, as one, enter into covenant relationship with God… believing that it was God that brought the two of you together as a gift to one another.

Couples: Do you believe or think that your spouse or partner is God’s gift to you? That makes a whole world of difference.

Getting married in the Church, inviting Christ to your wedding – so to speak - is a great way to start a family – a holy family.

(End of my side note)

God Almighty, who created us in love, chose to come to us in a family setting. It was in this family setting that Jesus first experienced the presence of God. It was within family that Jesus first knew the joy of being loved. It was in the family setting that Jesus learned His first lessons on how to love.

We heard in the Gospel: “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom…” within a family setting.  It is within family life that the new generation first receive the precious gift of faith… making the family vital to the mission of the church and the most fundamental institution in the world.

But parents – remember - you cannot give or pass on or share with your children what you do not have. So, parents, how is your own faith?  How is your own personal relationship with God? How real is God to you?

One last point - One of the worst things you can do and say to your family is how they are compared with other families.

It is NOT JUST, it is NOT WISE – It is WRONG. Yet, many of us think or say something like this: “I am OK compared to that guy …I am not such a bad parent compared to others… so – I am OK -  or my family is OK compared to that family” …. Or  "I wish my children were like theirs.  I wish my husband was like her husband or I wish my wife was like his wife.  I wish my parents were like my friend’s parents. " And so we use others as our standard.

But you see - every family is a unique relationship of unique individuals…. No two families are the same… and, every family has challenges which neighbors usually do not see.  We do not really know everything that happens inside other people’s homes… once they close their doors.  Perception is not always reality.

If we want to compare ourselves – our family -  as individuals and as a family – again, let us look at the Holy Family. The Gospel was born into the family. 

The Word became flesh in the family; and through our families, let the Gospel be proclaimed.

May the peace and joy of Christ and His Holy Family be with all our families and our loved ones today and throughout the New Year and always.

Amen.  God bless…

Rejoice Always!

Today is “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice.” – that is why the color of our vestments is Rose – which symbolizes JOY. In today’s second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians: “Rejoice always” … meaning – rejoicing at ALL times and in ALL circumstances…not only when things are going well with us.

But- How can one rejoice when one is sick, when one just lost a job or when one just lost a loved one especially in this coming Christmas?

How could St. Paul say “Rejoice Always”? Always? Yes - You see – St. Paul is not naïve. He is not just a positive thinking guru.  St. Paul was actually shipwrecked, scourged, criticized, blamed, was imprisoned and he had physical ailments.

So - How could St. Paul live a life of peace and joy in the midst of life’s challenges?  What was his secret?  The secret is being totally dependent on God… totally entrusting himself to the hands of God… trusting that God is in control…

Rejoicing always does not mean that you are always on emotional high all the time… It does not mean always feeling like we’re going to a party …but it means there is peace beyond understanding that abides even through the worst of life – because - Christ is in our lives… Emmanuel.

The coming of Jesus – the Incarnation of God – which we celebrate at Christmas - changed everything.  Jesus’ victory over sin and death is so powerful – so complete – that NO negativity, no terrible life experience nor sickness, etc. can overcome what Jesus has accomplished through His dying and rising.

In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.…”

Therefore, there is always ground for hope and there is always cause for joy; and on that basis; Indeed! We can rejoice always… IN THE LORD! That is the key. Rejoice always! … in the Lord.

St. Paul wrote to the Philippians: “…For I have learned to be content with whatever I have… in any and all circumstances… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Of course, admittedly - all of these are much easier said than done.

 It is hard for us to live a life of rejoicing always.  Of course, on our own – we cannot follow this command to rejoice always - but – by the grace of God - the One who calls us to this joyful life is faithful and He will do it in our lives…  He will accomplish it as we heard in the reading.

 There is a difference between faith and trust.  You see - Faith is believing that God CAN bring good out of bad things or bad situations in life… believing that God CAN save us.

Trust is believing that God WILL ACTUALLY do it.

So, rejoice in the Lord always because God’s love is unconditional and unchanging and true.

Meaning – in contrast - our inner peace and joy must not be dependent upon other people… even our loved ones.  For example, we believe people CAN do good things for us but the question is – will they actually do it? At times, even our most trusted friend or family member disappoint us.

Our peace and joy must not be dependent on things we possess; must not be dependent on the circumstances of life.  Our hope, peace and joy must be anchored on something more stable than the shifting sands of life’s fortunes; they must be anchored or grounded on God Himself… again, whose love is unconditional and unchanging and true.

It means being in constant awareness of the loving presence of God.  As we heard in the reading, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – as St. Paul said (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

As has been said: “It is not being joyful that makes us grateful. It is gratitude; it is being thankful that makes us joyful.” Grateful people are joyful people.

Reality check, we know that life on earth is not always rosy, so to speak. So - Instead of yearning for a problem-free life, rejoice that troubles can actually highlight our awareness of God’s presence and the providence of God.

In the darkness of adversities, we actually can see more clearly the radiance of God’s face and His presence… that is the paradox of Christian life.

As Christians, we believe that there is life after death and life after death is bliss – perfect happiness, perfect joy. Our hope is not in this life only. That is why we are able to rejoice in good times and in bad.

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Cor.15:19): “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are the most pitiable of all people.” … but we are not because we believe in the Resurrection.

So – let us accept the value of problems in this life.

Remember – the Good News is that we have an eternity of trouble-free living awaiting us in heaven. What a joyful hope!

As humans we have a material and a spiritual life. Unfortunately - some of us pay all attention to the material, neglecting the spiritual dimension. You can see it in the way people prepare for Christmas.  They take more care to decorate their homes more than they do to clean up their souls.  People are more concerned with the gifts to give to family and friends than the gift of self we should give to God.

Advent is a time to prepare not only materially but also spiritually for the coming of the Lord: his coming to us sacramentally at Christmas, his coming to us individually at our personal death - at the end of our lives, and his coming to us collectively at the end of time – His Second Coming -  and His coming to our lives every day.

The truth is:  Christ - Whom we are waiting for is already here in our midst… As we heard from the Gospel reading: “There is one among you whom you do not recognize.”

Let me lead you in a simple spiritual exercise:

My brothers and sisters in Christ – Now - look at the people next to you – go ahead - what or who do you see?  Look!  Look at them in the eyes… make eye-to-eye contact.

Would it not be awesome if we can all say: “I see Jesus, I see Jesus, I see Jesus…..”  Now - Tell the people next to you: “I see Jesus.”  Go ahead….

Now, you have to treat them and deal with them accordingly.

Just as we heard in the Gospel reading for the Feast of Christ the King on final judgment, Jesus said : “Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Just imagine what our community here will be like if each one of us has this kind of awareness …being truly aware that Christ is living in our midst and everyone has this kind of humble and respectful attitude towards one another.  Christ ministering to Christ.  Would it not be awesome?

And – what is also important is Not only seeing Jesus in others but also seeing Jesus in ourselves. Christ means “the anointed” - and by virtue of our baptism in Christ – we ourselves are also “the anointed ones” – and so we can also say the same words of the Prophet Isaiah – as we heard in our first reading (Is 61:1-2a, 10-11) – which Jesus Himself proclaimed also at the beginning of His ministry:

“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,

to heal the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives

and release to the prisoners.”

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is our marching order… the purpose of our lives.

We are all Temples of the Holy Spirit. We are the Body of Christ.

As St. Teresa of Avila said it beautifully: “Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

We are all called to be other Christs in the world.

Like Mary, we are all called to give birth to Christ in our lives.

God continues His saving work in the world through us.

As St. John wrote in his Gospel: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”.  And so - Rejoice!  Rejoice!… God is with us in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. God is with us. God is in us. … Emmanuel.

Amen. 

God bless…

“Wake Up, Keep Watch; Stay Awake”

 Happy New Year!  Today - the Church begins a new liturgical year… and we enter into Advent Season, a time of waiting, longing and hoping…

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to be alert, to be watchful; to stay awake, so to speak.

During these weeks of Advent – we are called to spend more time taking account of our lives, examining our conscience….

In this homily, I will ask several questions and I encourage you to continue reflecting on them during Advent and even beyond Advent… and what they mean to you.

So - what kind of a year have you had?  Take a look back at the last 12 months... What stands out in your experiences?

What is Jesus most wanting you to notice about the year that has gone?  Is there something Jesus wants you to ‘wake up’ to? Or wake up from?

Jesus does not want us to sleepwalk, so to speak, through our lives.  He wants us to be attentive to - what is going on - around us and more importantly – within us.

The late Father Anthony DeMello, a Jesuit priest said: Most people, even though they do not know it, are asleep. They're born asleep, they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they raise children in their sleep, they die in their sleep without ever waking up – Meaning - People live and die never understanding, the reality, the loveliness and the beauty of living… what life is.

• Meaning - They live and die without really truly loving, without tasting deeply the real joy of living because they are so pre-occupied, so consumed by the busyness and pressures of ordinary life, consumed with eating and drinking, buying and selling… going after worldly concerns and pleasures.

So, people need to wake up, to open their eyes, to see what is real, both inside and outside of themselves…

Being alert, to be awake, to be vigilant in the biblical sense is not a matter of living in fear of the end of the world or fear of death. Rather it is a question of having love and reconciliation as our chief concerns, being grateful at all times, appreciating, affirming, forgiving, apologizing, and being more mindful of the joys of living in human community and being aware that we live within the sure embrace of our loving God.

So - What would you like to say to God about the year that has passed? …

We have another new beginning.  Over the next 12 months, what do you need to be more awake to? What do you need - to do more of, -  or less of?

What is it that you think about the most each day?  To what are you most attentive and watchful?

The Church has designated these weeks of Advent to remind us that our entire lives must be an ongoing watching for ways and opportunities that we can grow more spiritual, and less worldly, less materialistic - for us to grow closer to God… so that God will be our daily guide and focus in all things.

We are called to spend more time in prayer and sacrifice and to confess our sins to prepare for Christmas just like during Lent to prepare for Easter.

The question is:  Are you a better person – better yet – are you a better Christian now than you were a year ago?

The season of Advent is not just to prepare for Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ – His first coming… AND when we speak of the second coming of Christ – it does not necessarily mean only the end of human history, it could also mean for us the end of our own individual lives – our own personal death;

Reality check - we are all going to die someday – sooner or later. We are just passing through. Our true home is in heaven. It’s a great time to ask some tough questions. Questions like, “Am I ready to die anytime?” and “Where will I go when my life is over?”

We need to be awake spiritually. The end of the world should NOT concern us, nor should we worry excessively about when we will die. What we should worry about is in what state our dying will find us.

 the coming of Christ in our lives could also mean - His becoming present - in our daily lives… Emmanuel meaning “God is with us”.

We say - “we wait for Jesus’ final coming to judge the living and the dead”. We speak of “Christ’s coming into our daily lives” – but, if you really think about it, actually - it is Christ who is always present and always waiting for us to open our hearts and for us to let Him come into our lives… every day.

As Christians, we believe that without Christ in our lives, our lives become a chaos, a mess. Without the Lord - away from God’s path, away from God’s ways – we are like the people mentioned in the first reading from Isaiah…they wandered aimlessly. They got themselves into all sorts of trouble…because possessions, selfishness, arrogance, worldly concerns and pride all dominated their lives and destroyed them.

Throughout Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament – one thing is clear – that people - if left to their own devices – if left to exercise their free choice - people can easily become self-destructive. This applies to all people of all ages, including us… Our society is no different… which is becoming more and more atheistic.

In our society – people are demanding their rights to do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do…without regard to other people’s rights. People say: “my choice, my body, my life, my family, my marriage, my home, my way”. As the great St. Pope John Paul II warned:  Freedom must be guided by moral truth.  Freedom must be grounded on moral law which is grounded on Divine Law because freedom outside of moral law leads to self-destruction.

 We need the Lord in our lives to guide us... Jesus said: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.”   We need God to be in our lives… Otherwise – we wander from God’s ways…therefore, we will make a mess of our lives… and we lose our capacity to love which is the very purpose of our lives because we were created in the image of God who is Love.

But - with the Lord, even in the midst of our most difficult struggles in life – and a lot of people are struggling nowadays – but with the Lord - we find peace and hope and joy and continue to grow in love… regardless of the circumstance we might find ourselves in.

 advent calls us to realize and acknowledge how much we need a Savior…

… to realize we cannot make it on our own.   We need Jesus to save us.  

The name Jesus in Hebrew means: “God saves”…  We need Jesus in our lives.

And so - We long for His presence in our lives.   That is Advent.

 Jesus calls us to stay awake and to be alert. And so - Jesus is waking us up - so we do not miss out on the real depth and joy of life - that is happening all around us.  Jesus said: “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full…”  (John 10:10)  - meaning – for us to have fullness of life! – lasting joy, peace and happiness which the world cannot give.

 Jesus calls us not just to “get through” life; but to plunge into life…. Not just to “get over” failures; but to learn from our failures… Not just to endure challenges; but to face and embrace them… because if we do – our lives will be much richer and that is the paradox.  This is the active waiting Jesus calls us - to prevent us - from aimless wandering and to prevent us from having meaningless lives.

Whatever this coming year will bring us, all will be well, all will be wonderful, exciting, beautiful and full of love, as long as our hope is in the Lord.

AND - If our hope is in the Lord, we will be ready when He comes however and whenever that might be.

God bless…