“It Happened in Those
Days”
In the second reading
John writes about testimony; Human testimony and the testimony of God. This is
a good way to start, with my testimony.
The words from the
Gospel “It happened in those
days ….”
How many remember when
you were baptized? It happened
in those days …, if you are a cradle Catholic you may have been
too young to remember. Parents, godparents, and family witnessed it. They
remember it, those there, then.
I was baptized twice.
Once as a 2 week old, I don’t remember it and again in the 5th grade.
It happened in those
days… the whole congregation of Gorum Baptist Church
My Dad baptized me. As
he preached the baptism sermon; I walked into the water. He probably preached
the same gospel. Standing beside him, he told me to hold my nose and close my
eyes. I held my nose; but, as soon as I went underwater, I opened my eyes to
look for the Holy Spirit.
What I saw was
beautiful, a kaleidoscope of colors: blue sky, golden sun, emeralds, light
green, and bronze water reflected as if through gemstones. I could see the
white of my daddy’s shirt and the thin stripe of his tie. I saw the beauty of
God’s creation. But, I didn’t see the Holy Spirit - there, then.
It happened in those
days at the Bayou Barbue…. It wasn’t a voice from
heaven, but a father said, “This is my son, I’m proud of him.” The people heard,
the ones there, then.
It happened in those
days at the River Jordan
The prophet Isaiah
says that when the Messiah comes he will heal the sick, feed the hungry, and
open the eyes of the blind. The Gospels tell us Christ did this. Jesus did
heal. He fed the hungry and opened the eyes of the blind, but only those there,
then.
Why didn’t everyone
hear God identify Jesus as his son? Why didn’t Jesus heal everyone with
one prayer? "For my thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways my
ways."
God identified Jesus
as his Son to those people who heard his voice. He sent the message to the
heart and soul of each person there, then. God does the same with each and
every one of us, opening our blind eyes to Christ. God wants a personal
relationship with us. He calls each of us.
It happened in those
days..., I did find the Holy Spirit, but it was about 20 years ago. I had
looked in different places and different Churches. I found the Holy Spirit as I
walked behind my oldest daughter to receive my first Holy Communion.
John said “It is the
Spirit who testifies and brings the truth.” The first time I experienced the
precious body and the most sacred blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, it was there,
then that I felt the Holy Spirit and truly knew Christ. I knew I was answering
God’s call.
It happens in these days..., I get that same feeling when I offer each of you the
Blessed Sacrament. I can feel the excitement and power of the Holy Spirit as
you come forward truly ready to receive Christ.
In the voice from
heaven, in the miracles of Christ, God shows he is committed to those there,
then. It is the same with us; being there, then; when Christ comes to us. You
face him, know him, love him, and answer His call to your heart. This is the
recognition of the ever present Holy Spirit. This ever present call to us from
God through Christ is a personal call to our heart and soul.
But, God always has
room for others. It happens when you come as yourself, as you
are there, then. and it happens here and now.
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