Sunday Reflection - 3rd Sunday Lent - Alone Ain't Got No Chance

Alone Ain't Got No Chance  Ex 3:1-8a;13-15; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8,11; 1Cor 10:1-6:10-12; Lk 13:1-9

What does God appearing to Moses, Paul retelling the Exodus story, and the parable of the fig tree have in common? For each of us, it is probably something different. But this week I was skimming Earnest Hemingway's novella, “To Have and Have Not.” He wrote, “...alone ain’t got no chance.”  

I say AMEN. That’s it. No man, woman, or child has a chance alone. By alone, I mean without God. God called out to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!” He answered “Here I am.”

We can live in a crowd and still be alone. We’re alone when we’re without God. A relationship with God is the desire written on our hearts by our creator. It’s the love we have; a crown of kindness and compassion we wear. God expresses that desire in all of creation.

It is in the name that identifies God. “I am who am” The “I am” is real. God is not a golden statue, or a rock, or the sea. God “I am” is “to be;” “to be” at the beginning, “to be” now and “to be” always. Eternal, God seeks “to be” with us always. Tell them “I am has sent me to you.”

Somehow, we’ve decided God has to be complicated. That’s the way our minds work. The reality of God is not complicated, “The Lord is kind and merciful,” unwarranted and unmerited love and charity. If you want to find God in this world, find His love.

In the gospel, Jesus talks on two disasters; the murder of innocent Galileans at the hands of Pilate and the death of 18 people when the tower of Siloam fell.

They weren’t killed because of sin by a vengeful God. They died because the circumstances of life where evil and calamities exists. People are subject to these bad things. Our only promised of better things is to “repent.”

Jesus continues by telling the parable of a fig tree. Guess what that fig tree represents. It’s us, me and you. If we are in this world alone, without the grace of God and (surprise to many) without the cultivation of Church and community, we are like that fig tree. We simply exist.

Pope Francis said, “Christians are not made in a laboratory, but in a community called the church.” Like the fig tree it is hard to exist alone without the nurturing of the Church and the love, care, and mercy of God.

Jesus said on this rock I will build my Church. God has always built on rocks of faith through the word of God. “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob” and the God of Moses. Paul tells what made those rocks so strong, “they all drank from a spiritual rock and that rock was Christ.”

We have a fig tree in our yard. The fruit has always been sparse and small. For 18 years it’s grown in the shade of two pine trees. It had been alone in the middle of those trees for all those years. My wife replanted that fig tree earlier this month.

In the novella, Hemingway’s protagonist, Harry Morgan, lay dying. “A man, one man… alone ain’t got no bloody (expletive) chance.” He shut his eyes. It had taken him a long time to get it out and it had taken him all of his life to learn it.

My brothers and sisters, alone we ain’t got no chance. But, God, “I am” is always with us. Our faith is the rock of Christ. There stands our Church and community. Our Lord is kind and merciful. He is a patient gardener, always with us; we just don’t need to take a life time to learn it.

“Y’all be good, y’all be holy. Preach the gospel by the way you live and love.” Amen

"Say Yes to the Bless (ing)"- - Healing Service Reflection

"Say Yes to the Bless (ing)"
Ps 67, Phil 2:13

Today is our community's healing mass. If Father cannot show up, it becomes a healing prayer service and I give the reflection.  

Today we ask for God’s healing, proclaiming the words of Psalms 67.

“May God turn his radiant face toward us and fill us with his blessings.”

From Philippians,

"For God is the one who, for his good will, works in you ....”

God’s good will to us gives us freedom. Through this freedom, we can praise him for the blessings and healing he gives to us. We can adore him for all the good things he does for us in his good will.

• In God's good will he offers us blessing
• In God’s good will he offers us healing.
• In God’s good will he offers us justice.
• In God’s good will he offers us fairness.

God wants to be adored by people who are free; but, God gave all of his creation freedom. Even the things that cause us troubles.  

"God’s ways are known upon all the earth."  

All  “that is” upon earth moves towards him in the freedom of its creation.

In our freedom, God blesses us even when we are sick, suffering, or in troubling crisis. God still gives us blessing, even if we don't recognize them. 

• In a sick child,  
• In that illness from which we suffer, 
• In times of crisis and trouble

These are hard things for humanity to understand, the mystery that is God. We have the freedom to say yes to , but the trouble is that our doubt is a “no” to those blessings.

But, if we

• Give these things to him, put them before God.
• Claim his blessings -- his grace -- his healing -- his presence in our life

Say yes by believing and God’s light will shine upon us.

“May God turn his radiant face toward us and fill us with his blessings.”

Then praise him, let everyone praise him.  

Philippians 4:13 - The Heart of David

Making Gods of Cake and Pie - 2nd Sunday of Lent

Making Gods of Cake and Pie

Gen 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36

Being a larger than average person, I ‘m drawn to Paul’s words “Their God is their stomach…”

I could be offended by that statement. Diets are my downfall. A piece of cake or pie speaks to me. I am weak and succumb to temptation. Surely that’s not what Paul was talking about. But it is, he writes “minds are occupied with earthly things.”

People argue about this. It’s not an argument of denial but of support. Atheist and those who have trouble believing argue, oppose, evaluate, and adjust the world’s opinions to what they think is real; the earthly things the mind is occupied with.  

The words of St Francis - “You only know as much as you do.”  But, we think what we know is more than it is.

Because the human mind can’t grasp the mystery of God, He has been rejected by many people. Like after the first man and woman were cast out of the garden, the world continues to reject the creator, our stomachs rule us. We succumb to weakness and temptation. The shameful truth, it isn’t as simple as cake and pie.  

We have made gods of “earthly things” that are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” We follow gods that bring us to the destruction of our own end. Gods created in the shameful glory of violence and domination of the less fortunate, poor, and weak. These gods are the carnal temptations of world, power, and ego.  

Even in this sin, God doesn’t hide from us. God is always. The readings show us God is right in front of us. God has chosen us and by His grace will change us.

God’s grace will change us.

He chose a man from Ur of the Chaldeans. God changed Abram and promised him more - a land to possess and decedents as numerous as the stars in the sky.

God was there when Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. That part of Jesus that was the same as you and me, changed. “While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.” And, “Then from the cloud came a voice that said ‘this is my chosen Son; listen to him.’” In those words, God promised us more - the promise of the new and everlasting covenant.

Paul describes the change to comet, “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.” And that change promises us more. “Our citizenship is in heaven….we await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. “

God is right there in front of us in Christ Jesus who heals us body and soul. We find God not in our desires but in the grace and mercy of our everyday life. Moved by grace, we will turn towards God and away from sin.

God’s grace will change us.

 That change promises us more, someplace special, the Promised Land, the Kingdom of Heaven.

It takes a little bit on our part. These words are from the Psalm: “The LORD hears our prayer and he answers. He hears us when our hearts call out to him. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.”

I think that means, give up the cake and pie.  

That brings us back to the words of St Francis - “You only know as much as you do.” So, what is your cake and pie?

Y’all be good, y’all be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen

Sunday Reflection - 1st Sunday of Lent - I'm in Trouble

I’m in Trouble

Deuteronomy 26:4-10;  Psalm: 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

It’s St. Valentine’s day and there’s a punk rock song by The Replacements “I’m in Trouble.”  Some of the lyrics are, “I gotta run, I better hide … Oh you won’t ever let me go, You’re in love and I’m in trouble” (Sorry Ma, I forgot to Take out the Trash, 1981) I know this song because 1981 was college, the athletic dorm, and a lot of temptation.

The song has nothing in common with the readings except some words.

The words from the Psalms, Be with me, Lord… I’m in trouble

I have cried that many times. Many people have. They’re words that have been cried since the beginning. The people of Israel cried them. They’re a prayer of affliction, a prayer asking for relief, and a prayer asking for release.

He heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.

Our Heavenly Father hears our cries. The Father sees the hungry. He sees the powerless. He sees the injustice in the world; but, so does the evil one, the devil. The difference is that the devil sends temptation and our Heavenly Father sent his son. Temptation brings ruin. The Son brings salvation.

Have you ever considered the fact that Jesus the chosen one of God had to face the same temptation we face? The one God sent to save humanity from itself had to resist the devil. He did it by the power of our Heavenly Father. I shall give to you all this power and glory.

The devil promises the world. They are promises that are only temporary, fleeting, and totally carnal. 

The Son brings us love, forgiveness, blessings, and eternal life. The Heavenly Father sent his son, Jesus Christ, so we could know these things.  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress; I will deliver him and glorify him.

Cry out, “be with me Lord” and Jesus is with us. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The Lord can set us free from this temptation. In our suffering, we do not have to be desperate. 

We are not perfect. The devil knows we hunger for “the ego, “the power” and “the world.”  We fall to the temptations of the devil. We run from the love of God.

Our prayer, “be with me, Lord…I am in trouble” is one we send to the merciful God this Lenten season. God hears our prayer. He sent us his Son as our example. Accept the freedom the Lord Jesus Christ brings to us. Jesus gives those oppressed by demons and temptation freedom found in the Word of God.

Call upon him and confess… Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Lord, “You won't ever let me go!” (Maybe that song means more than I thought.) 

Y’all be good; y’all be holy. Preach the Gospel by the way you live and love. Amen

Homily Reflection - Knock - Knock - 5th Sunday OT

Knock- Knock

Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11; Luke 5:1-11

This week while studying the scriptures the thing that kept coming to me was knock-knock jokes. Play along: Knock- knock!  Who’s there? God. God Who?

Exactly – God’s knocking. Here I am send me! But, what do I tell them about God?  

Paul had it right, “By the grace of God I am what I am…,” I am my experiences, sins, and worldliness which get wrapped up in my message about God. Then in imperfection, we don’t understand God’s grace and mercy. He can’t want me; I’m so bad I can’t be forgiven.

Isaiah hears the knock-knock, “Woe is me, I am doomed! I am unclean….” Knock-knock and Paul replied, “I am not worthy to be an apostle.” Jesus came to Peter, knock-knock, “depart from me Lord… I am a sinful man.” Even these great servants of God stumbled in their imperfections.

We doubt. We’re imperfect.  

God is the opposite. God is infinitely good and all his works are good. Instead of imperfection, God is perfection. We’re not the reference point from where God starts. God knows God. That’s God’s starting point. 

Jesus gets in the boat with us; because, God is mercy. He is joy. God is forgiveness. He is tenderness and compassion.

God’s love is gratuitous, unbelievable, irrefutable, and abundant. God’s love is infinite and eternal. God’s love is completeness. God loves more than forever. No matter how much we imagine God’s love; God loves us more.

This is the abundance of God’s mercy. Mercy given to Isaiah, “…your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” The mercy of salvation to Paul, “I passed on what I received that Christ died for our sins.” And Peter and his friends had Jesus “Do not be afraid … they all left everything and followed him.” God is mercy.

When we know this, we change. In the abundance of His mercy God enters our heart and transforms our life. It’s the message of conversion. It’s the message of being born again.

His mercy is given freely. That’s what Isaiah is telling us. That’s what Paul tells us. And, that’s what the Gospel tells us about Jesus. That’s what we are to tell the world.

God’s knocking. All of us together raise our hands, “Here I am Lord, send me! & I will sing your praises!”

“Y’all be good, y’all be Holy, and always preach the Gospel by the way you live and love.” 

Amen.

Sunday Reflection - Called to be Prophets - 4th Sunday OT

Called to be Prophets

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19;  Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17;  1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 or 13:4-13; Luke 4:21-30

I love the words of Jeremiah “… gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you.”

A prophet is an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God. Jesus and Jeremiah were both prophets.

God called Jeremiah to be a prophet. He shook the people up. Jeremiah took his role as a prophet to the extreme.

God sent Jesus to be a prophet. First they praise him then they mocked him. The crowd wanted to throw him off a cliff and kill him because they did not understand. Jesus’ role as a prophet was the extreme.

We are all called to be prophets. The words of the psalmist tell us that we are called to “sing of your salvation.”

We are called to be the inspired teachers and proclaimers of the will of God. His will is that we know salvation.

Are we his prophets? Yes, I am going to modernize that phrase from Jeremiah. Pull up your pants and heed the Lord’s call.

And we protest. God is asking me to do the extreme and I can’t. No one will take me serious; No one will listen or believe what I say. Even Jesus said no prophet is accepted in his own native place.

Nobody is going to think I have the gift to proclaim God’s word.

Paul writes, “…I shall show you a more excellent way.” That excellent way is Love. Prophesies, tongues, knowledge, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit can come to an end. They are imperfect without love.  If they exist without love, they are nothing. Love is real and tangible. Love is active. Love is extreme.

Hitch up your jeans and preach the Gospel. Preach it by your words and your actions; preach it by your love. Preach in your real life; preach so people can feel it; preach it in your actions.

A friend of mine married young. His new wife had been a single mother with a severely disabled child. I apologize that I do not remember the condition the little girl had; but, she was never more than an infant. She lived her entire life blind, mute, and dependent until the Lord called her home.

At seventeen years old, this young man came home from work to a disabled child who was not his. And, he would hold her. He would carry her. He would feed her and bath her. He would love her. He loved her with all the dignity and love you would give your own child. Because even though she was not his natural child, his love was real, tangible, and active. She was his child.

Twenty years later I still remember the sermon he preached through his love.

Love is real, tangible and active. Did his daughter know him, as a father who loved her much?

This is our relationship with God. God comes to us and holds us, takes care of us, and loves us. God’s love is real, tangible, active. It is given to us freely. We are children that don’t always recognize the absolute real love of the one who loves us so much, our Heavenly Father.

So they take God’s love and mock it, criticize it, and even kill it. God still loves us.

In the middle of this, we are called to be prophets. We are called to be teacher and proclaimer of God’s love and grace. We are to preach love by all that we do and all that we say. Love never stops caring. Love does not come to an end.

Love is extreme. Love is real, tangible, and active.

In a passage from the children’s book by Margery Williams, ”The Velveteen Rabbit.” The stuffed toy Velveteen Rabbit asks the stuffed toy Skin Horse what it means to become Real. The Skin Horse’s answer is love makes you real.

“When a child loves you for a long, long time … really loves you… you become Real… by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out, and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter… you are Real, you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

People who have not experienced the real and extreme of God’s love are those who just don’t understand the call to be a prophet, teacher, and proclaimer of the will of God. Prophets like Jeremiah who took his role as a prophet to the extreme because of his love for God; or, Jesus’s role as a prophet taken to the extreme because of God’s love for us.  

Gird your loins, pull up pants, or hitch up your jeans; and heed the Lord’s call. God’s love is extreme and we are called to be prophets. Proclaim what is Real, the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

“Y’all be good, y’all be Holy, and always preach the Gospel by the way you live and love.” Amen.

Sunday Reflection - Strong Enough - 3rd Sunday OT

Strong Enough

Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Faith is something we share. Faith grows in us individually but at the same time with the help of others, especially those around us. True Christian faith brings to us justice, love, and respect for the dignity of others.

Then I look at the internet – Facebook, Twitter, Blogs & other places- post made by people who call themselves Christians; and, that is not what I see.  Is our faith strong enough?

It is part of the story in the readings. At two separate times, two separate men come before the people. They are both returning home, to unroll the scrolls of God’s word to share with the people.

They came to build. They built on the word of God because they came to build faith. They both were there for God’s work. Ezra came to build the temple. Jesus came to build the kingdom of God.

Ezra finds Jerusalem and God’s temple in ruins, destroyed. The people and community had been destroyed by years of absence, captivity, and outside influence. Jesus came to find the same thing but he was not working with physical ruins but spiritual ruins. The people and community had been destroyed by outside influences, greed, and politics.

They brought God’s law to build faith. They used God’s word to proclaim justice, love and the dignity of others. Jesus and Ezra did this sharing God’s word with those around them. Each called to the poor, the downtrodden, the wounded, and people seeking forgiveness.  Do not be sad and do not weep— for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.

Those were people just like us. The people were weeping because they knew they had sinned. There were a people seeking justice, needing to be loved, and most of all needing dignity.

We live in a world of people just like Ezra’s time. We live in a world of people just like in Jesus’ time. We live in a world that is broken both physically and spiritually. Is our faith strong enough?

Ezra asked the people to believe and realize the certainty of these teachings. Luke asks of us to believe the words of Jesus, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 

That’s what faith is about. Justice, love, and dignity is found in God’s word, which is alive today. Believe in the scripture and it is fulfilled.

It is still being fulfilled today through the Holy Spirit. It is fulfilled through Christ who is always present, especially in us, his Church.

Luke points out that we are a continuation of Jesus’ work. We continue the building of his kingdom as the body of Christ. A body of many parts we are one body in Christ.  For through the Holy Spirit we are baptized into one body. We are one body giving glory to God and bringing holiness to his people through the word of God.  Do not be sad, and do not weep your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The Church is the body of Christ anointed by the Holy Spirit. We build the kingdom on faith. It is a faith that exudes justice, love, and respect for the dignity of others. For the Lord asks us to stand above the crowd. God sends us to the poor and to the oppressed.  

This calls for us to be strong, right? Maybe I am not strong in the way I need to be strong. Am I strong enough?

Jesus tells us faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. I pray and pray waiting for something to happen. I pray for people to be healed, peace to be realized, and for justice, love and the world to realize the dignity of all people. I am only part of the body and part of the prayer.

Even the parts of the body that seem weaker are necessary and important. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored; all parts share its joy. This is the truth shared by Ezra, “rejoicing in the Lord is our strength!” Our joy is strength; it refreshes the soul!

Together we are strong enough!

Jesus, Ezra, and Luke teach us on our relationship to God and to one another.  Our relationship to God is the basis of our faith; a faith built in justice, love, and respect for the dignity of others.

In this Year of Mercy share God’s word and your faith like Jesus, Ezra, and Luke.

“Y’all be good, y’all be Holy, and always preach the Gospel by the way you live.” Amen.

Sunday Reflection - "How Good is the Wine to Come?" - 2nd Sunday OT

How Good is the Wine to Come?

Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11

“Everyone serves good wine first… but you have kept the good wine until now.”

Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh with God’s message. Pharaoh asked, “Who is your God that I have to listen to him?” Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. He didn’t listen to God speaking through Moses.

Because Pharaoh didn’t listen, God used Moses to answer. Moses touched the water of the Nile and it turned to blood. No one could drink the water and the plagues began. The water turning to blood was a curse on Pharaoh and Egypt for not hearing the word of God.

There was a wedding at Cana. Jesus’ mother was there and so were Jesus and his disciples.

When the wine ran short, his mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” And, they did. They filled six stone jars with water. They were stone jars for the ceremonial washing before worshiping God. Then, the waiters drew some out. The water had become the good wine.

And the headwaiter said, “Everyone serves good wine first… but you have kept the good wine until now.”

This passage from the Gospel of John is the first sign in Jesus’ ministry. Any one hearing this at the time the Gospel was written would have known that Moses had turned the water of the Nile into blood. Now, someone greater had come, someone turning water into wine.

Isaiah painted the picture of God’s blessing on Zion and Jerusalem. He speaks of a wedding, a covenant between God and his delight. This is a covenant in which the Lord rejoices.

Jesus is the new covenant; a covenant different from previous ones. It is a covenant of blessing manifest by Jesus turning water into wine. Wine is the symbol of abundance, blessing, celebration, and life.

This wedding at Cana is a symbol of the new covenants between God and all the earth. The Lord’s delight made evident through his son Jesus Christ. God rejoices in us and blesses us with gifts.  They are different that the ones that Isaiah proclaimed. They are different blessings but the same Lord. They are different workings but the same God. The Holy Spirit is itself a gift of the Lord’s; and when the Holy Spirit fills a person the Spirit brings gifts as well.

“Everyone serves good wine first… but you have kept the good wine until now.”

Now, we go back to the water. Water turned to blood. Water turned to wine. Water we can see as our life. Do we see curse or do we see blessing?

God shows his greatness through these miracles with water. In one, water becomes a curse of blood. The second, the water becomes the blessing of wine. “Wine.” as Scott Hahn points out, “that Jesus does something special with.” It becomes his blood. The Blood of Christ is our blessing.

We need to shout and sing the Psalm (96) - Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. Worship the LORD in holy attire. Tremble before him, all the earth.

“Everyone serves good wine first… but you have kept the good wine until now.”

Follow the instructions of the Holy Mother of Jesus, “Do what he tells you!” Listen to him.  

Jesus… so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. What does the future hold for us who believe? How good is the wine to come?

“Y’all be good, y’all be Holy, and always preach the Gospel by the way you live.” Amen.

Homily Reflection - Baptism of Jesus - Y'all be Good (Pt.2)

Y’all be Good (pt. 2)

 Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7; Psalm 29:1-4,9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16,21-22

My parents raised 3 boys. I was the oldest and the biggest, although my two brothers were a whole lot meaner. As we grew up, there came a time when we out grew the punishment of a child. My father would tell us, “Y’all boys be good and be holy Christian men.”

I remembered that this week when my brother and sister-in-law wish me a happy birthday. They told me about someone who had met me at work.  

Normally, I work with construction companies. In fact, the morning I met this person, I had been at a construction site and was dressed in khakis, muddy work boots, and a plaid shirt. But, I was called to a rush meeting with the administrative staff of an aging services company. They usually see people in suits.

I showed up to an office full of ladies. They were told a consultant was coming. They didn’t know what to expect; but, it sure wasn’t me. It was said “I filled the doorway and then I filled the office.” To them, some man who looks like he just climbed off a bulldozer shows up to tell them how to run a nursing home. I was intimidating!

But my sister-in-law was told that I was nice, encouraging, and knowledgeable. It was a nice surprise to them that I knew about the issues they were having and could offer solutions for them. I was polite and respectful and never made them feel uncomfortable or talked down to them. She said many other nice things about me.

I remembered my daddy’s words, “Y’all be good and be holy Christian men.”

Do you ever wonder how people see you? Do you live the gospel in your public life? Do others see Jesus in you?

We celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, the beginning of his public life and ministry. What did people see in his public life in the time when people were expecting the messiah?  

And “The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.”

John was preaching in the wilderness and baptizing people for repentance of sins.  John baptized them in the Jordan.  He dunked them to wash away their sins.

People saw this wild looking man, shouting for change, to be good, and to be holy. People thought surely this is the one to come. John’s answer, “Y’all be good. Y’all be holy; because, I’m not the messiah.”

Yet, people kept coming for baptism. They had sinned. They needed God’s help. But there was one in the crowd who knew the truth. The one in the crowd was Jesus.

John baptized Jesus. 

Jesus didn’t need baptizing. He didn’t need to be told to be good and to be holy. He was without sin. And, a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

The voice of God proclaims Jesus “my beloved son.”

But doesn’t God love us all? Doesn’t God in his perfect way love us all the same whether we are saint or sinner, good or bad, angel or devil, king or pauper? I am going to answer that “Yes.” Jesus tells that God’s love is unmerited and unconditional. In Romans, Paul said that our lack of faithfulness to God does not cancel God's faithfulness to us. No matter what we do God loves us; and, nothing can ever stop God from loving us.

Then why do we need to be baptized, why do we need to be good, to be holy, if God loves us all the same shouldn’t we all be promised heaven. I am going to answer that “No.” It’s about how we love God in return.

Our love for God is apparent by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire and power  Jesus brings.

To be good and to be holy is when you give the LORD glory and praise; give the LORD the glory due his name; and adore the LORD in holy attire. (Ps 29) Clothe yourself in goodness and holiness. The good and holy of John’s repentance; holy attire he prepared for the people through baptism. The holy attire “Y’all be good; Y’all be holy.”   

Anyone truly living their baptism lives in the goodness and holiness that faith and the love of Jesus asks. Being good and being holy is the response to God’s love and the expression of the love of God in mercy and dignity for others.

A voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son…” But, it was easy for Jesus; He was the beloved Son of God and I am a sinner.

God didn’t promise easy for Jesus or for us. By coming to baptism, Jesus showed his unity with us. He took our sinfulness though he never sinned. He was tempted and we’re tempted. Jesus suffered and we suffer. Jesus was persecuted; we are too. Jesus was crucified for our sins. God didn’t promise easy for Jesus or for us.

Jesus gives us the secret of being good and being holy, “After all the people and Jesus had been baptized; He was praying.”  Jesus prayed, constantly. He lived those prayers doing good and so should we.

Jesus baptism was the beginning of his public life and ministry. Compare our public life to Jesus’ public life. Compare our Church ministry to Jesus’ ministry. Look at ourselves. Clothe yourself in holy attire. Live your baptism; Love others like Jesus showed us.

Share the Gospel, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” Spend some special time with God: pray, go to adoration, attend mass, and come to the Lord in the Eucharist. Give God a special place in your heart. Through baptism, God has settled upon you as “one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit.”

I have a new way I am going to end by homilies. I hope you never get tired of it.  “Y’all be good, be Holy, and always preach the Gospel.” Amen.