Luke 1: 39-56 Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

So many of us are familiar with Mary's visit to Elizabeth's home before their children were born.  One could think about how miraculous it was that John first recognized the Christ Child even before his birth and Elizabeth was pointed toward him by her son, as was John's role. 

We could also contemplate Mary as the Theotokos, the God-bearer, chosen by the Father before time, as the passage in Genesis foreshadows Mary and Christ (Gn 3:15). 

Perhaps the greatest lesson that can be learned are those of love, humility, faith, and trust that Mary shows in aligning herself with God's will.  These virtues are contained in Mary's Magnificat which she proclaims within today's Gospel.  These virtues are not for women only, but have been attained by male and female saints alike in their following of Christ.  Our Lady is our example in the New Covenant.  Let us pray today that not our will, but your will be done, O Lord.  Amen.

Mk 11: 11-26 Have Faith in God

Today is a long Gospel reading.  Jesus is at the temple, looks around then leaves.  He curses the fig tree outside Bethany, then returns the next day to Jerusalem, to the temple where he drives people out and overturns tables.  The following morning as Jesus and the twelve return to Bethany the disciples notice the fig tree that Jesus cursed had withered.  Jesus uses the withered tree as a teaching lesson in faith for the disciples; teaching that what we ask for in prayer will be given; teaching the importance of forgiveness of sins of others so that our sins may be forgiven by the Father.

There can be much written of, but those last three thoughts:
-have faith
-pray for what you need, believing it is possible
-forgive, that you may forgiven

These are ultimately what Jesus preaches again and again.  Do we not hear these same ideas when we pray the Our Father?  In it we profess our faith, our belief in God in the Father.  We petition him for what we need, our daily spiritual bread.  We pray that we may forgive others, and that God will forgive us.

When we say the Lord's Prayer today, let us think more clearly on the meaning of each of the words that we are saying, and not as something that we have simply memorized.  Let us reflect on the meaning of each word.  Amen.

John 14:6-14 ..so that the Father may be glorified..

There is something really beautiful in everything that Christ does, and that is that he continuously tells us, it is not for him or his sake that he asks us to do things, but for our Father in Heaven.  Jesus is so willing to give completely of himself.  It reminds me of when he told the Apostles that, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down his life for his friends." (Jn 1513)  Jesus lets us know that his words and works are from the Father.  This is how he is in the Father and the Father in him.  Thus they become one. 

"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father."

Jesus promised to send the Advocate and with the help of this Holy Spirit send by the Father in Christ Jesus' name, we will have great power to do His will.   It is an incredible amazing thing.  Hard to be true, yet it is.  How does it relate to our own life?

A brother who has sought God in nearly every religion throughout his life looks at my faith and asks, how can you believe?  Why can't I quite turn the question around and ask, why don't you believe? In today's reading Philip asks Jesus to explicitly show everyone the Father as proof.  Thomas the Apstle is with them.  Philip and Thomas portray those doubts and uncertainties we all have.  This is why Jesus has already challenged Thomas to put his fingers into the wound marks.  Now he explains explicity how he and the Father are one, how what he does glorifies the Father, and how we are to be united with him in following him in his works to also glorify the Father: to give our whole selves to God.  Christ died for our sins, that he could raise us up with himself for the honor and glory of God.  Alleluia!

John 15:26-16:4 A Feast of St. Athanasius

Can we testify to the Lord?  Are we willing to share our faith with others through word and deed?  In working with Confirmanti on their Confirmation retreat they were asked, "What comes next?  Are you going to keep practicing your faith, or are you going to stop attending church and do other things?"  The kids were kind of shocked by the question.  They had the choice??  Then they started wondering what the catch was.  They were in charge of their faith, not their parents.  They were beginning to understand. 

As newly confirmed people, how did they plan on nurturing their faith?  This took more discussion and self reflection.  What did they need to continue to grow spiritually?  How could they grow spiritually?  In the course of discussion forgiveness came-up.  Different types of situations needed deeper forgiveness, some situations, like murder, they were unsure that they could ever forgive.  St. Paul was mentioned and the great forgiveness that Ananias had only through the help of the Holy Spirit in order to forgive Paul and to heal him.  The Holy Spirit, our Advocate, our Helper, is needed daily in inspiring us to love and forgive and heal.  Wow, sounds like Christ.  The Spirit is here to help us carry on Christ's work. 

In their written reflections, how did they decide they could be nourished in their faith?  By continuing to receive Christ in the Eucharist and Gospels at mass; through sharing their faith with others, especially their younger siblings and to those random strangers who asked them questions about their faith, they would try their best; they would continue to honor their parents and families with love; they would try to live their lives as good people and in doing so, hopefully the Spirit would walk with them and they could be a light to others.  They are a great group of kids.  Our kids are the future of our church.  May God bless them and guide them on right paths. Amen.

John 15: 18-21 If you belonged to the world...

"Religion causes war and hatred.  We should just get rid of it altogether. Ban it, outlaw it, make it illegal."  This is what I often hear from people who blame religion for wars.  Isn't it true though that there are other reasons like money, control of oil pipelines, trade routes, overpopulation, need for food, etc.?   

"How stupid can you be?  You're just being brainwashed.  These things that you're believing aren't true.  Who says there is a god?  Some guy who died thousands of years ago...and the joke is on you."  This is an example of something said by one co-worker to another, who was actually trying to keep her religion a secret until the instigator asked everyone in the office what religions they practiced. 

Persecutions happen every day, everywhere, to everyone.  Religious persecutions are sometimes the worst.  Even today there are groups who would deny the Holocaust.  More recently John Kerry, representing the US State Department (on March 17, 2016), condemned the genocide of Christians and other religious entities (Yazidis and Shi'a Muslims, etc.) by Daesch in Syria and other places. The work force can also contain its own form of religious persecutions, even if the religious faithful is not outward about their faith, it is still felt. 

Our faith no matter what religion we are is a part of us as unique individuals.  It colors our world.  It is our hope in our faith that drives us to God, and the life of the world to come.  Our world religious have coexisted for a very long time together.  Listening to each other we find that collectively they promote a moral way of life, a path to peace, a path to heaven.  We are reminded in the Gospel today:

"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you."

No matter how terrible the news on tv or the internet, let us try to remember we are ambassadors of Christ.  May we pray for our enemies, and be slow to anger.  May our gaze be always cast to our hearts to that divine tabernacle of our souls where God beckons us to sit at his knee during our persecutions, and let his love and compassion be our comfort.  Let us also take our persecutions and offer them as a sacrifice for those in need so that we may better imitate Christ. (Lk 14:27 & 1Peter 2:19-22)

John 5: 31-47 The Father Is My Witness

Are we such a hard hearted people that we create other gods and ignore the true God, just as the Israelites did?  Do we adhere to the scriptures the way the Jews around Jesus did, and refuse to see God in our presence?  Do we honor God only when it is convenient, and put him aside when it is not?

It is very easy to create other gods as well as to honor God only when it pleases us.  One of our Early Church Fathers, Eusebius, in his History of the Church, wrote about the Romans of Jesus' time: "The story of the resurrection from the dead of our Savior Jesus, already the subject of general discussion all over Palestine, was accordingly communicated by Pilate to the Emperor Tiberius.  For Pilate knew all about Christ's supernatural deeds, and especially how after death He had risen from the dead and was now generally believed to be a god.  It was said that Tiberius referred the report to the senate, which rejected it.  The apparent reason was that they had not gone into the matter before, for the old law still held that no one could be regarded by the Romans as a god unless by vote and decree of the senate; the real reason was that no human decision or commendation was required for the saving teaching of the divine message."   In other words, God does not need man to make him a God.  He is God almighty and transcends human thought and ideas.  Just like the Romans, the Jews in today's Gospel could not accept Jesus as the Son of God.  They looked toward their sacred writings, and although they testified for Jesus the Christ, they still rejected him.  Even though God the Father (at least 4 times in the Gospels) bared witness that Jesus was his son, they chose not to listen. 

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Those who follow him shall have eternal life.  The Truth will exist for all time and will not be corrupted unlike man's ideas and works which crumble and fall into decay. The Word does not need human praise for He is justified and testified about by the Father. Just as Tiberius knew of Jesus, so too did Jesus' reputation travel east.  Eusebius tells us of a king of Mesopotamia who was ill and sent a letter to Jesus asking to be cured.  Eusebius tells us that Jesus' reply was found in the Record Office at Edessa, "Happy are you who believed in me without having seen me! For it is written of me that those who have seen me will not believe in me, and that those who have not seen will believe and live..."

Happy are those who life with faith in God.  Jesus continually reminds us to live not in this world, but in the next.  Jesus asks us in today's Gospel, "How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?"  May we be called away from making earthly things into our gods or trying to conform God into the image we want of him, and instead remain in his presence living in communion with him.  Amen.

John 4:43-54 Your Son Will Live

Today's Gospel is a beautiful faith story about the royal official whose son is dying and begs Jesus to save the boy.  The man believed and the boy was saved.  As the man came home he is met with servants who tell him the exact hour that the boy began to feel better and it was about the same time that Jesus told the father that the boy would be saved.  The entire household is then comes to believe in and follow Jesus.

Today's readings are in line with the hope from Laetare Sunday.  They express that happiness for is to come.  The child was dead, but now he's brought to new life.  Not only the boy, but the father and all the household are called to a newness of life within Christ.  Isiah tells us today: "Thus says the LORD: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create;
For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight" (Is 65:17-19)  God is good.  He creates life, not destroys it. 

What about miracles though?  Everyone seems to want one at some point, not a small one, but a big one.  There is a video of  Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the Robert Barron of his day, where Sheen speaks of going to Lourdes, France and waiting for a miracle, but none occurred.  At least that was what he thought initially.  Miracles come in different forms.  When we ask for God to intervene in our lives, we usually want a particular outcome.  We forgot that God, who sees all, will respond in the way that we need most, even if it is not apparent at first.  For some that starts with an inner healing before it is outwardly manifest.  For others it is a deep forgiveness of ourselves for past wrongs and reconciling with God that can bring us to a newness, a fullness of life.   Through faith God can and does perform many miracles in our lives.

Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18 Ash Wednesday

for today's reading http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021016.cfm

Today we are summoned to repentance, to reflection, to renew ourselves in God's eyes as his holy people.  Called to fasting we lose ourselves to this world and place ourselves in solidarity with Christ's suffering as we prepare for his Resurrection at Easter.  It is also a time too for us to refocus our loves upon the Lord, to renew ourselves to his laws, to do his will.

I offer you the prayer of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:

O Father, the first rule of our dear savior's life was to do Your Will.  Let His Will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment.  Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what You wish we will be pleasing to you.  Amen.

Mark 6:7-13 Called to the Journey Through Humility

For today's readings (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020416.cfm)

In today’s Gospel Jesus sends the disciples out two by two with instructions to take nothing with them except a walking stick and the authority over unclean spirits.  It was a faith walk.  We have all been on them to some degree.  Where they were welcomed, they could stay.  Where they were not welcomed, they should move on and “shake the dirt from their feet” meaning they should leave everything, even ill sentiments behind.  They went and preached repentance, drove out demons, anointed, and cured the sick.

Jesus is the eternal Word of God that came and lived among us.  He is the fullness of God’s Revelation to us.  Our faith is the free affirmative response to God’s calling to us.   Grace is God’s life in us.  God’s love for us, as through the Son, is limitless.  Living our faith, like the disciples do when he calls them on their journey, is saying “yes” to Jesus’s call to bring the reign of God.  This reign of God is His saving love fully manifest in the world.  We this transmitted to those who have faith, to the disciples, to us. Miracles are only one sign of this love, and we hear about them a little today as the disciples share the reign of God through their call for repentance and to receive God’s love.  It is an affirmation too that although God is everywhere, although temporarily limited in His human form, we are likewise called to share in His work.   By professing God, by sharing the teachings of Christ, the disciples were publicly professing their faith.  We are called to do that too.  This is one of the reasons that we state our creed, our beliefs at mass.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Whoever says ‘I believe’ says, “I pledge myself to what we believe.” (CCC 185) 

In the first reading today we meet David and Solomon.  Solomon receives the kingdom to rule and keep.  They are our examples of men of faith.  Both, like us are sinners.  The difference is that David, as many bad things as he did, repented of his sins and asked God forgiveness.  He received the gift of humility.  We do not see that with Solomon.  So which do we use as our example today when we hear the call to follow the Word of God?  Are we ready to go with as little as the disciples, except for our great faith?

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Baptism of the Lord

There was once a woman who asked whether she should have her child baptized.  The woman's mother wanted the grandbaby to be baptized, but the mother and father didn't follow any faith, and the mother especially struggled because she had been raised Catholic and her first husband, who was a devout Catholic, had been killed in a tragic accident; In some ways she still blamed God.  In the end the mother decided that she did not live her faith; that she would allow the child to be raised in a home devoid of religion and he could decide for himself when he was an adult whether he would pursue faith.  The grandmother, when he was an infant, took Holy Water from the Jordan River and claimed him for Christ in the hope that if he should die, he would have the hope of attaining heaven through God's mercy.

In light of today's Gospel where we hear of the Glory of the Father descending with the Holy Spirit upon the Son, that cleansing, that holiness, and rich blessing, knowing that this is similar to the baptism that we experience when we are baptized into Christ, it is almost unfathomable that parents struggle to decide to baptize their children; this however is due in part to our current age of secular relativism.  God is not bound my time or current human philosophies.  We need to look to the Eternal and the meaning of our sacraments, instead of whether we find them convenient. Jesus was baptized with water and the Holy Spirit.  "The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.  He commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1257.    Let us pray that we do not prevent the little ones from coming to the Lord. 

Mark 6:45-52 Walking on Water

There are so many elements of the Gospel that speak to us about the Divinity of Christ Jesus.  The last two lines of today are most striking.  In regard to those who followed Jesus, namely the Apostles and other disciples it says, "They had not understood the incident of the loaves.  On the contrary, their hearts were hardened."  Why were their hearts hardened?  They had witnessed a miracle in the feeding of so many thousand people after being afraid it would cost them too much to feed the people, yet they did with just five loaves and two fish.  Now they witnessed Jesus come down from the mountain and walk across the water to them when they are fearful in turbulent waves and calm them and the waves down.  Again, why were they hardened against him?

Both today's Gospel and its paired reading, (1 John 4:11-18) challenge us to consider the meaning of love and fear.  Love and fear seem to go hand in hand.  John reminds us today, "Beloved, if God so loves us, we also must love one another.  No one has ever seen God.  Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us." Have we considered how vulnerable we must make ourselves to allow ourselves to love and be loved?  In order to reciprocate love shown to us we must make ourselves open to being hurt rejected by the one that we share our intimate selves with whether it is a spouse, a friend, a brother, a sister, or a parent.  Perhaps it is also a fear of losing those we love and so we hide ourselves away from that pain and them so that we don't have to suffer.  It is that intimacy of love that connects us and binds us. 

In the Gospel the disciples are fearful as God approaches. God is love. They also fear love.  It was fear that led Peter to deny Jesus, led the disciples to flee at the crucifixion, and it is that same fear that can make it difficult for us to remain in the love, in God.  John assures, "There is no fear in love, put perfect fear drives out fear."  May we continue to try to love perfectly and so remain in God.

John 2: 22-35 Fifth day of the Octive of Christmas

Simeon is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "to listen" or "to hear".  Simeon, a righteous and devout man, has heard what the Lord God has told him through the Holy Spirit. He understands what it is the Lord is saying in this Child that Mary and Joseph are bringing to the temple.  We also have a wonderful example of Mary and Joseph following the Laws of God.  It is a reminder that Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.  Simeon gives us the knowledge that here is the one who will bring salvation to the people:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

We also receive the foreshadowing of the suffering to come in order for God's mercy to be fulfilled through Christ.  May we be eternally grateful that the Lord our God so loves us:
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 7:18b-23

In today's Gospel we hear that disciples of John the Baptist have been sent to inquire of Jesus if he "is the one that is to come."  It is a curious thing.  People have been mistaking John as the Messiah, but he knew that he was not.  John freely admitted that to his own disciples that he was not the Messiah and sent them to seek the one greater than he.  John, like many others, was awaiting the Messiah.  Jesus never answered the question, but told them to report what they saw: healing of body, mind, and spirit; cleansing of lepers; and giving new life to the dead. "The poor have had the Good News proclaimed to them.  And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." 

In Jesus' words there is almost a reply to (Isiah 45:21b-25) when the Lord spoke, " Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other..to me every knee shall bend; every tongue shall swear saying, "Only in the Lord are just deeds and power.  Before him in shame shall come all who vent their anger toward him..."

How amazing to behold these things! to be able to go back to John and tell him what they have seen and that Jesus completes the words of Isiah.  It is incredible.  It is interesting to think too that Jesus doesn't have to reply.  He simply is.  It reminds us of the Old Testament accounts of Moses interacting with God, and being told simply "I am who am."

Matthew 21:23-27

A Star Shall Advance from Jacob (from my reflection journal)

Together we are all preparing for the coming of Christ.  Yesterday's message focused on what John the Baptist’s teaching on preparing for Christ.  John calls us to share what we have with others.  At a catechism class I taught some kids talked about how their families have too much stuff and how they could give some things to thrift shops.  An aide came through our room at one point and we used him as an example how we can share out time with others.  That got the kids excited because as we talked they realized they could share themselves with the baby Jesus. The children also understood that John calls us to be honest.  I am proud of them for that. Because Jesus is the Truth being dishonest makes us not ready to be in Christ’s presence.  These children are very good teachers!  When we discussed taking more that we ought, the kids recognized that immediately. For them this is the most difficult thing.  They call ‘hogging.’  Someone reminded everyone that the way to not be a hog is to share.  If these are some lessons on the path to Christ, then by whose authority do they come? 

In today’s Gospel the priests and the elders demand to know by what authority Jesus is teaching, and who gave him authority.  It is ironic to us because we recognize Jesus as the Christ who is teaching about God the Father, while these priests and elders whose focus is supposed to be on heavenly things are asking him about earthly matters.  They couldn’t see the deeper, hidden picture. 

As the children reheard yesterday’s Gospel story they had a picture in front of them.  Within that picture were hidden pictures that they had to find.  The activity helped them understand that what we see could have a deeper meaning.  Have you ever been to care facility and seen a young person with a patient?  Have you ever seen a woman with a newborn? Have you ever seen a man play with ball with kids?  What about someone praying to God quietly in church?  These are all things that are seen.  There is an invisible connection between the people in each, forming relationships, emotions: a deeper picture.  The priests and the elders only saw Jesus teaching. They missed the deeper pictures and the invisible connections. So Jesus asks them, where was John the Baptist from, “Was it of heavenly or human origin?”  Jesus was trying to refocus them and broaden their thoughts.  They feared saying John was from one or the other.  John had already told the crowds that he merely baptized in water, but one would come after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.  Could you imagine if they had the courage to acknowledge that one could come and be both of earthly and heavenly origin? 

Remember the Prophet Balaam’s words, prophesying about the God the Son that he would be king of kings, and “his royalty shall be exalted…a star shall advance from Jacob and a staff shall arise from Israel.” We await joyfully this Advent for the newborn king, the Good Shepherd who uses his staff to guide us.  Let us prepare with the steps John gives us.  Let us be mindful of sharing our love with others.  Let us follow the star to Christ, where we, like the little children, can share all of ourselves with Him.  We ask this in Christ’s name.  Amen.

Luke 1:26-38 Feast of the Immaculate Conception

St. Luke knew Mary, Jesus' mother. Today's Gospel reading is an intimate look backward at her life.  Through God's Divine Mercy the Angel Gabriel came to Mary.  "Don't be afraid," he says,  "Hail, full of grace!"  Her soul was spotless and not stained by original sin at her immaculate conception, because the Grace of God was with her, purifying her, allowing her to become the future Theotokos. She is the new Eve, foretold in Genesis 3:15.  Unlike Eve, Mary is greater, for she is holy through her participation in God's plan of salvation for mankind. 

The Angel Gabriel explains that she will have a son "called holy."  We are all adopted sons and daughters of God like Adam and Eve.  Just as Mary is the new Eve, Jesus is the new Adam. Mary's child, is different and set apart because he is holy. He is the "Son of God."  The Angel offers her a sign that he is telling the truth.  He tells her that Elizabeth, her cousin, is expecting a baby, so she can check the veracity of his statements as a sign from God.  (Infant mortality was high and so people didn't celebrate the birth of a child, instead they threw an enormous party when the child turned one-year-old.  Mary wouldn't know that Elizabeth was expecting and specifically in her sixth month.)  Mary is obedient and gives praise to God.  We are called to do the same this Advent season as we prepare the coming of the Lord, Our Savior, in this Year of Divine Mercy.

Luke 5:17-26

In a Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class years ago we were told about an unfortunate incident where a woman was raped on the street in front of her house.  Most of her neighbors were home and they did not help or call the police.  Afterwards they sent her cards of apology for their inaction stating that they didn’t believe that they could help in any way and they felt helpless.  The point of our instructor telling us the story was to have us understand that we truly needed to believe that we could help, otherwise we needed to walk away and call for help from someone else: To help someone we needed to have faith because in administering CPR once it is begun you aren’t supposed to stop unless someone, like an emergency medical technician, is there to take over for you.

In direct contrast in today’s Gospel reading we hear about the friends who came to the aid of their paralytic friend and even when they couldn’t get their friend into the house where Jesus was preaching and healing, they found another way and they gently lowered him.  They had faith.  They believed that Jesus could heal.  They believed that they could help make this a reality for their friend.  We know that Jesus healed him because he was able to pick-up his stretcher and leave, but Jesus also forgave him his sins.

Jesus never had to say that he was God.  He showed it through his actions and words.  The scribes and Pharisees are the ones who tell us, “Who but God alone can forgive sins?”  Jesus responds to them and asks, “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘Rise and walk’?”  There is a phrase ‘Putting a band-aide on a problem.’  For this man to have only been physically healed would have been this sort of superficial solution.  God heals hearts when he forgives.  At healing masses there is sometimes a concern that those receiving the Sacrament of Anointing may faint because of the Spirit that moves through the profound belief of the recipients.  May we all give glory and praise to God in his mercy to “forgive us our sins…and deliver us from all evil.”  Amen.

Matthew 9:27-31

In today's Gospel two blind men are following Jesus begging for his mercy and pity.  Jesus asks them, "Do you believe that I can do this?"

This Advent season we are preparing ourselves to receive Christ as the hope of the world.  Do we believe that he can do this?  Faith is a gift of God the Father through the Holy Spirit.  Christ Jesus stands knocking at the door of our hearts ready to lead us through the gates of eternal life should we seek him.  For those who follow Jesus as the blind men did, seeking to see the eternal Kingdom, the Lord will reveal it "according to your faith."  For these men, their eyes were opened. 

Jesus warns them, "See that no one knows about this."  We are told that "they went our and spread the word of him through all the land."   Did they miss the point?  When we receive a gift, do we focus solely on the gift, or the giver?  Perhaps that is Jesus is really warning of overlooking the One, The Father in Heaven, who has given them the ability to see and to attain the Kingdom and its eternal life, by instead focusing on the fact that Jesus has restored their sight.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Let us focus on that as we prepare to meet the coming of Christ this Christmas.

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Today's Gospel surprises us a little because it is a warning that if we do not heed Christ Jesus' words, we will not be able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  There are those who will cry out to him but do not follow him, and those who listen but do not obey. 

It seems really harsh in our current era of political correctness we want everyone to be equal and have a "fair share."  That isn't what Jesus is telling us though.  Jesus is reminding us to be vigilant and build within ourselves that firm foundation in Him, in the Father through the Holy Spirit.  Faith is always accompanied by good works.  Upon what does our faith rest?  It rests upon the word of God.  It is his will that we put before our own in faith.  To love God is to desire sincerely to love him.  Because we love him, we wish to be instruments of his love and peace for others in doing his will and spreading the Good News.  In this end, our faith will save us. 

Matthew 15:29-37

In today's reading Jesus goes up the mountain where those who are poor in spirit, those who are outcasts such as the blind, the lame, mute, etc. have come for healing.  Jesus is touched and says, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away hungry."  Jesus then takes seven loaves and five fish, blesses them and the feed the crowds with seven baskets left over. 

Jesus first goes to the mountain.  Mountains have been used as a meeting place with God throughout history.  Jesus is man yes, but also the Christ, the door keeper who ushers us through the door to God, so we find it appropriate that he is gathered with those who are humbled, meek, and the poor in spirit.  He consoles them, he forgives them their sins, and heals them.  Are they just healed in body?  No, Christ heals the soul, the spirit, too.  As we read today's Gospel we are called to that mountain too, to be healed and made whole, to be purified and ready to meet God. 

Ask yourself, What do I need healing in my life?  Is there something physically wrong with me, or does it mask a deeper pain?  Is there something that I can find healing through in an Anointing of the Sick or through the Sacrament of Reconciliation?  In both there is great healing if we are open to it.  Perhaps this can be part of our Advent journey?

Matthew 4:18-22

Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle

In this Gospel reading we hear the calling forth of Andrew and his brother Simon, called Peter, by Jesus.  They were fishermen along the Sea of Galilee. Jesus promises that they will be "fishers of men." After they are called, Jesus calls James and John.

We are each called to follow Jesus too in the ways that lead to the Heavenly Kingdom.  Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are his flock.  By living in his Way, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are to be known as Christians by our love. 

We are called not once, but repeatedly to follow in the ways of Christ.  Each time we say 'yes' that is a conversion where not only are our thoughts refocused on the Lord, but also our actions and words.  Every time we go through a conversion experience, we come that much closer to the Lord.  As we continue through Advent, let us take listen closer to the Lord's call, so that our hearts my be turned much more towards that Enduring Light.