John 6:60-69 Looking into the heart of the betrayer

As an instructor it is easy to discern which students understand, which struggle, and which are tuned out.  Motivations can also easily be ascertained.  In today's readings Jesus looks at his disciples.  He knows which of them are faithful and which will betray him.  That had to be so difficult to persevere just for the sake of those who were faithful, simply because it was the right thing to do.

Sometimes we forget about Jesus' humanity and think of him as this great redeemer who came down from heaven.  He was fully human like the rest of us and divine.  In his humanity he felt sadness, despair, loneliness and so on.  How hard it must have been to face Judas knowing what would happen, always hoping that maybe he would change deep within his heart as was in his free will. 

Christ came to be in the world to save the world.  As Peter reminds us, Christ Jesus had the words of eternal life.  Are we open to the Father calling us closer to him in the salvation mystery?  Will we follow Christ?

Luke 11: 29-32 The Sign of Jonah

How many of us look for a sign of the Lord's intervention in our life.  How easily we could be these in the "evil generation looking for a sign, but none will be given except that of Jonah."  Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish.  It was a foreshadowing of the three days that Christ would spend in the belly of the earth before his Resurrection.

We are invited like the people of Nineveh to repent because we are warned of the coming of the wrath of God to those who are not humbled, that through the Lords mercy on those who love him, we may be saved.  And how?  Through the saving act of our Lord Jesus Christ and his Resurrection on the third day.  We are called in our Lenten journey to repent, to sacrifice, to be humbled, that we may allow God to resume his rightful place in our hearts; that we allow his will to be done over our own.  In his love and mercy, he will forgive us.  Remember Christ Jesus taught us the prayer that gives us hope in this. 

Reflection Mt 25: 31-46 The Face of God Is in Our Brother

“You shall not bear hatred in your heart for your brother.” The Lord commands through Moses.  How many times have we each felt someone’s wrath, annoyance toward us, or just that look that left us crushed?  When we acknowledge how we feel, then suddenly we know it is wrong to hate others.  Perhaps our anger will melt into compassion and understanding especially when we recall in today’s Gospel that Jesus reminds us that he is those people that we help, that we give encouragement; he is within the hungry, the thirsty and the poor.  Mother Theresa called this Jesus’ “distressing disguise of the poor” when he appeared to her in the form of those who needed help. 

Christ is in each of us.  Do you recall Jesus told us that he would send us the Paraclete to help us discern what we must do to continue on the Way?  Jesus also told us “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15) And what was his command?  “Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you should love one another.” (Jn 13:34)  Isn’t that what Jesus is reiterating today when he tells us, “I was hungry and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me,” explaining that whenever the disciples or we ‘do it for the least brothers of mine, you did it for me.” (Mt 25:35-36, 40)  Let us be certain that when we give, we give to Christ and for Christ in whatever form we meet him with charitable hearts that preserves the dignity of our brethren for our love of God.  Amen.

Mark 4: 35-45 Quiet! Be Still!

"Quiet!  Be still" Jesus orders.  Nature follows it master's command.  The Apostles too are comforted and quieted. 

A priest once told me that this is one of the most difficult things to do in life is to be quiet and still.  With my experience, I believe it.  When I started running I chose not to use a device for music.  That meant that I had a lot of quiet time on the trails.  It was really difficult to be alone with my thoughts and no computer, TV or radio for distraction. It helped to bring greater awareness to the need for that quiet in my prayer life.  It is in that stillness that I can turn inward to that voice within, God's voice, that small whisper in my heart, reminiscent of Jesus' small quiet voice in that great storm. I am assured that he is near not only in the good times, but also the turbulent times too. 

It is still difficult for me to sit quietly and just listen.  Our pastor gives us communal prayer for Adoration, but them allows us a quiet period for personal prayer.  I watch people with their prayer books and other religious material.  I tried that, but then realized that I wasn't quieting myself inside, just externally.    I took my inspiration in this thought from my trail runs.  Then I stumbled upon a quote from Mother Teresa, "God speaks in the silence of our hearts, Listening is the beginning of prayer."  I began to focus on one thing only, perhaps a scene from Jesus' life and I would think of what he said to his disciples.  I would put myself into the scene.  That is how I found that quiet place within my heart.  Soon I realized that I was able to think clearly about different things in my life, my priorities were slowly changing.  I even gave up a computer game that I'd played for over a year and replaced it with visiting those in my community who were home bound.  God speaks to people in different ways.  The real question is, are we listening? 

Luke 2:16-21 The Lord is Salvation

In today's Gospel we are greeted by the shepherds as they enter the presence of the ultimate Good Shepherd laying in the manger with Mary and Joseph by his side.  Christ has entered into the human story to be one with us, in communion with us, and to bring to fruition that saving act prophesied that would reunite human kind with the Father for all time, namely through his Passion and Death.     

Mary keeps all these things in her heart.  She is our example in contemplating scripture, or in her case, living Scripture through the words and actions of her son, Jesus, whose name means "the Lord is Salvation," in light of the teachings of the Old Covenant. She comes to understand and proclaim the Truth.  Imagine being near to the Lord, hearing the voice of God, feeling his presence and helping him within the early communities as he reaches out to those who seek his compassion and mercy.  Mary is our example, our guide in how we should follow the Lord Christ, our Good Shepherd.  She remains obedient and humbled, but continues to contemplate throughout her life.  We are called to her example to find understanding.  As we begin this new year, let us follow our Lady in following the Lord of Mercy and Compassion.  Let us hold in our hearts those who are in states of migration, those who are refugees, those who like the shepherds, live a modern nomadic life; may we be true Christians as we follow Mary's example of following Christ's command to love one another as God loves us. (Jn 13:34)

Matthew 11:28-30

In today's Gospel Jesus tells us, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light,"

How merciful the Lord is to invite us through obedience and patience to become docile peaceful people.  Jesus is the perpetual teacher.  He recognizes our difficulties and the hardships that we endure.  He wants to show us the better way.  To be meek is to be obedient.  There is a strength within obedience, but it is not stubborn.  It allows us to carry out the things that we are asked to do willingly.  To follow Jesus in his humbleness of heart allows us to be patient with others as we put them first before ourselves. 

In essence Jesus is teaching us that should we follow him, we will be rewarded and life will not seem as difficult because he wishes to teach us his way of love:  In obedience to the Father we serve him first, then we serve others, before ourselves.