Priesthood Sunday - 26th Sunday OTB

 Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

This is Priesthood Sunday. Those who have been called to be priests in Christ’s Holy Church are called to a special place. A place of service to God. Truth is we are called to priesthood.

God wants us to serve him; but, not everyone wants to answer that call. Many want a God that serves them.  It is the reality of most of the modern world’s perception of God.

This world has led people to create a god of human expectations. In those expectations, they treat their god as a pet. It is kept in a box and taken out when needed or to show it off. Then when they think they have gotten what they ask of their god, they put it back in the box and back on the shelf, out of sight and out of mind.  

Friends, if you think that is God, you are wrong. God does not serve us. God is way bigger than anything we can imagine and infinitely beyond anything we can control.

That is shown in today’s readings.

In the 1st reading, Moses is feeling the pressure and responsibility of the role God has given to him. It is a hard and burdensome role; so, God gives him help.

Moses calls 70 community leaders to the tent of meeting and they receive the Spirit of God.  Then the unexpected happens, two men (Eldad and Medad) failed to come to the tent of meeting, yet they still received the Spirit of God and prophesied. And Joshua was amazed, confused and probably a little upset. Moses, my lord, stop them.

In the Gospel, the apostle John has a similar experience. Like Joshua, John was amazed, confused, and probably a little upset. “Master, we saw a man casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.”  

The response of Joshua and John was a human response. They were basically putting God in a box. They expected God to respond as they would respond. They expected a human reality and were amazed and confused by the action of God’s will.

God, our creator’s will does not depend on us. God is absolutely free, God has His own logic of operation for his will and his plan for creation. Psalms 115 says “Our God in heaven does whatever he wills.”

As God’s creatures we received our freedom, our free will, from God. The problem is people want to use their free will to decide God’s will by interpreting it with human conditions and expectations.  

Our plans are usually biased by our limited nature and understanding.  No matter how hard humanity tries, it cannot change God will based on human conditions and terms.

This is where people tend to their own personal interpretation of god. They put that god in a box for their own purpose. Many want a god for fine clothes, fancy cars, and wealth. None of this will bring them true happiness.

It is their will not God’s will.

No matter what we say or what we think, God’s will is infinitely mysterious and greater than our own. God’s will steers creation to the place of His plan and purposes.

God sent his spirit upon Medad and Eldad to prophesize.  God’s will for the man John saw driving our demons in Jesus’ name was to glorify him. God’s will for us is service.

People in the world tend to put their god in a box. That opens them to sin. Jesus tells us the result of sin is the unquenchable fires of Gehenna.

Father, we wish you a blessing and grace on this Sunday that celebrates your priesthood. Those who have been called to be priests in Christ’s Holy Church are called to a special place which is in the service to God.

We are all called to be e good, be holy, and preach the Gospel. Prophesy to others by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen.

Praise be Jesus Christ, fore ever and ever. Amen.

Follow Jesus up the Mountain - Homily Feast of the Transfiguration

Inspired by a reflection of Michael Moore OMI

Praise be Jesus Christ.

Most of us live an ordinary and usual life. It’s truth for most of us.

The apostles were living life as usual; if a life walking with Jesus on earth was usual. But after 3 years, maybe, they felt life had become ordinary and usual. Peter was so comfortable that 6 days before, he rebuked Jesus when he foretold of his passion.

Then Jesus took them up the mountain.

At first, it was nothing unusual. Jesus often went to the mountains to pray. But for Peter, James, and John something wonderful was about to happen. He was transfigured before them, his clothes became dazzling white. His face shone like the sun.

Imagine the surprise, shock, and astonishment of the men with Jesus. All Peter could say, Lord, it is wonderful to be here. 

But the words they heard; This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. 

Words that mean just as much today as they did then. As important to us as they were to the ones who first heard them. Because, the good news Jesus speaks is life-giving and life-changing.

If we open our hearts to his words they change us. They will nourish and sustain us. They give us a glimpse of Jesus in all his glory and a taste of the promise of what is to come.

To follow Jesus up that mountain encourages and challenges us to venture away from life as usual; because as followers of Christ, our lives are more than the ordinary and usual. The Transfiguration reminds us we Jesus to a life of meaning and purpose by realizing God’s promise to us.

Celebrating the Transfiguration is to experience hope in Jesus Christ. His words are the promise of eternal life. This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

We may never experience anything as powerful as the Transfiguration; but, in countless ways, God does come into our daily lives.  

In moments of peace, joy, reconciliation, or forgiveness, God is with us. In every act of compassion we share, God reaches out to us and through us. Those are moments of transfiguration for ourselves and those we help.

Lord it is wonderful to be here; open our hearts to hear Jesus.

Praise be Jesus Christ. Forever and ever. Amen.

What's in your Basket - Homily 17 Sunday OTB

Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

Jesus said we are to feed the hungry. Many will protest and say that there is no way I can feed the hungry. I have nothing.

Funny, that’s what Phillip and Andrew said: 

• “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food is not enough to feed them even a little.”  
• “What good is five barley loaves and two fish for so many?”

Jesus reminds them by his actions, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”  His example was simple, take what you have, pray over it and offer it to God, and go out to other's with faith.

People who don’t want to believe in Jesus and his miracles will say it’s impossible to feed the large crowd with five barley loaves and two fish because there were about 5000 men.

True, it would have been impossible to feed 5000 men without feeding women, children, and families that were with them. For God all things are possible.

Those who doubt argue surely in a multitude of people others brought food. They simply shared with those around them.

Friends, why is that not a miracle. It may not be as dramatic as feeding the multitude from a child’s sparse basket of bread and fish prepared by his mother; but, it is the miracle of love. The miracle is Christ in that meal.

Christians feed the hungry.

But, scripture tell us, many are not just hungry for food, physical subsistence. They are hungry for spiritual subsistence; hungry for Christ. They are hungry for someone to lead them to a better life.

For those who hunger, we are to share from our own baskets, even if they are sparse.

Live all the miracles that happened when Jesus fed the multitudes. People sharing from what they have with those around them. There is the truth of St. Paul’s words - We are called to the one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

In that truth, we are unable not to share our faith with neighbors, co-workers, friends, and especially family. We share Christ in us. We lead others to Christ; to the truth of what is right and just.

Friends, take what you have, pray over it and offer it to God, and go out to others with faith.

Still people say, there is no way I can feed the hungry. I have nothing.

Yet, when you share from what you have to feed the hungry; even if you have less than a widow’s mite – you bring the riches and rewards of heaven. If you only have 5 barley loaves and 2 fishes – you bring the promise of the heavenly banquet.

If all you see in what you have to share is a broken and sinful self – to others you bring Christ in you..

We are called to feed the hungry - no matter how sparse our basket may be. Pray over it and offer it to God, and go out to others with faith.

From this sharing, there will be an overabundance of faith. “They shall eat and there shall be some left over.”

Through example, we feed the hungry from our baskets. We teach others our faith. We teach others to pray. We teach others to realize miracles, no matter how great or how small present in our lives.

Always lead to Christ. This is the real hunger of the world. .As Catholics lead the hungry to the most divine meal of the most Holy Eucharist, which is the truth of this gospel.  The miracle is the presence of Christ in that meal.

As a Church, a community, followers of Christ; we are called to feed the hungry. Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.

Be good, be holy, and share your faith by the way you live your life and love one another. Pray about it and do it in faith. 

God's great, God's good, thank you God - Homily First Friday Mass

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070221.cfm  

Today’s gospel brings to mind my 2 year old grandson’s prayer before meals. It is a prayer of wisdom. “God’s great, God’s good, thank you God. Amen (then he adds) Praise the Lord!” I know Jesus does come to dine at my house with such a great invitation as this.

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners; so all would know God is great and God is good. Despite their sins, they came to Jesus because they knew God matters.

People seemed to have forgotten that God matters and that what matters to God - matters. A lot of things do not matter; because, they do not matter to God.

These things seem to be fixated upon because people think they matter. Like labels the world puts on us (tax collector or sinful person), labels we put on ourselves (race, gender, sexuality), or things we think important (wealth, power, or possessions).

God made us and we matter to God. God didn’t make the labels that has obsessed many; those don’t matter to God.  To those who complain, Jesus says “Go and learn this, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’”

Knowing the difference between what matters to God and what does not -- requires we know God.

Knowing God is not about intellect. God is not an idea, nor a thought. We cannot know God objectively – He is not the object of our knowledge.

God is known because He is. He is being made known to us as we know another person.

We come to know God as we come to know a person.. We come to know God in time, relationship, and prayerful conversations. And coming to know God is not some great achievement by us; it is a matter of grace and revelation. It is free gift, given in love.

Knowing God does not keep us from knowing other persons. Knowing others is not a distraction from knowing God. Knowing other persons is essential to knowing God because we can only know God to the extent that we love others.

It matters that we know God. God among us, walking with us, and dining with us.

God matters.

Because, to know God is life itself. “This is eternal life—to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one He sent.”

Christ Jesus comes to dine with us, sinners and saints alike.

What matters to God - matters.

God’s great, God’s good, thank you God. Amen -------- Praise the Lord!

Where are you seated? Homily - 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Praise be Jesus Chris, for ever and ever. Amen. Good Morning. I pray that God has blessed you all this week.

Friends remember our penitential prayer this morning. Lord Jesus, you return the dead to their families. Lord have mercy. Christ Jesus, you restore the health of the sick. Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus, you reconcile your people to the Father. Lord have mercy.

It is all from our gospel. Jesus tells us for this, you must have faith.

Remember that and consider these questions.

Where is your faith seated? Is your faith seated in your head or in your heart? Or does your faith exist only in where you are seated?

I say that for a reason, look around us today. How many people are seated in the pews? How many people will be seated in these pews in the future?

A person’s faith is manifest in decisions, life-choices, beliefs, and passions they show to the world. It is testified to all by the commitments chosen and remained in.

Faith is in God or something else. That something else can be arrogance or pride or shame or sin.

Look at the faith shown by our political leaders this week. They display their faith by words and actions against the Church, the Bishops, and even the most holy blessed sacrament of the Eucharist. Faith comes from where they are seated in a position of power.

And faith comes from where we are seated. Sadly, many are not seated at the feet of Christ.

The book of Wisdom tells us that because of the envy of the devil, suffering and death came into the world. The devil wants nothing more than for our faith in God through Jesus Christ to die. Look around, the faith of many is sick or dying. To be healed,  they need Jesus.  It can be seen in today’s gospel.

Jairus’ twelve-year old daughter is dangerously sick. He believes Jesus can heal his daughter, in faith he falls at Jesus’ feet to ask him to save his daughter and come right away.

And, Jesus turns immediately to go with Jairus.

But, something happens. Someone reached out an touched Jesu and it stopped him in his tracks. Jesus said “Who touched me?”

Incredulously, his disciple’s said, “Who touched you?”  Everybody touched you! The crowd is all around you.?”

But, someone had touched Jesus in a special way and Jesus knew it.  That person was a woman who had been suffering for twelve years, just as many years as Jairus had had a daughter.

Society and culture at that time believed that blood was unclean. So this woman was considered unclean. She was invisible, unnoticed, and unimportant. Yet, she was desperate for healing; but, because she was ashamed to be unclean she would not approach Jesus as Jarius did.

Yet, she still came to Jesus. 

Although the world said she was shamed, that was not the person Jesus saw. He made the synagogue official wait and said “Daughter, your faith has saved you.“

Because of society and culture today, some are afraid to stand before Jesus. They hide in the crowd. Jesus knows them. He knows their needs, suffering, and pain.

In love, Jesus turns to them and tells them, Your faith has saved you.

In the prosperity of our faith in Christ Jesus, we are asked to bring that message to them.

Jarius was a totally different story. He is an important person, an official of the synagogue. Despite his pride and position, his faith was seated for the world to see at the feet of Jesus.

There was all kinds of commotion and weeping. Those at his house said it was too late and they ridiculed Jesus. They said, deny this Jesus; send him away. (Just like the world ridicules us for our faith in Jesus)  

Addressing all this commotion, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

Jesus was there with them and he is here with us. Jesus healed those who came to him and set them free from death. He gives us the same healing and freedom.

By the richness of our faith in him, Jesus needs us to tell others, “Get up – have faith.” Faith in Jesus will save you. He wants us to tell the world, Jesus is with us always.

The disciples saw the crowds. The suffering  woman saw Jesus.

The mourners saw a dead girl. Jarius saw Jesus and witnessed his faith seated at Jesus’ feet. His daughter heard Jesus call to her.

Our true faith comes from where we are seated.

Our faith in Christ will be our decisions, commitments, and life-choices. Our faith will be testified to all by our love for God and the love for our neighbors.

And, the truth of these things are found in the gospel Jesus Christ. Do not let the world tell you differently.

Friends consider this question, is your faith seated at the feet of Jesus? Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live your life and love one another.

Praise be Jesus Chris, for ever and ever. Amen.

We are His Body - Homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.

Imagine yourself one of those disciples 2000 years ago. You believed Jesus was who he said he was. You saw him, feed multitude, cure the sick, calm the storm, and raise the dead. You saw him crucified, died, buried and as he promised risen. You were there to see the next wonder of Jesus’ ministry.

And Jesus gave you these instructions, “Go out and proclaim the gospel to the whole world!”  Then He began to rise up. He was lifted up and a cloud takes him from our sight.

What are we feeling? It might be wonder or fear or awe. Maybe it would be a loss for words, dumbfound or helpless, or confused. Imagine you are a disciple there with all who believed and saw Jesus ascend into heaven.

Praise be Jesus Christ – for ever and ever.

Now, come back to today and think about all the emotions in the disciples when two strangers dressed in white, asked. “Why are you just standing there looking at the sky?” Jesus is gone and not coming back until he comes in glory.

I think these men in white, angels, or God’s messengers were saying – Go do what Jesus told you to do! “Go out and proclaim the gospel to the whole world!” 

Jesus told the disciples to share the gospel in words and actions.

The disciple probably feared they would never be able to continue the ministry of Jesus. They were now alone, Jesus was no longer physically present with them.  But, He was still spiritually with them. He left his ministry, his miracles, his love with them. He sent them the Holy Spirit.

He is still spiritually with us. And, He left His ministry to us. He gives us his miracles, his love, and the Holy Spirit so that we too can proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ..  

St. Theresa of Avila describes our ministry this way:

Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

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

St. Paul wrote to share the gospel in humility, gentleness and patience.

Jesus told us of gifts we would have, the words and actions needed to bring the gospel to the world. Not many of us will speak in tongues or fight with demons. We would all love to be able to heal the sick but not many are going to want to pick up snakes.

But we can share the gospel by our actions in how we live our life and love one another. More often than not, our actions speak so much more than our words. Our actions as disciples and follower of Jesus Christ may be the only gospel many will ever read.

Even though none of us were there 2000 years ago, He left his ministry to us.

We are to live the gospel not because we think it’s a good idea. Live the gospel because it is what you believe. Live the gospel because knowing Jesus is the best thing in your life. Live the gospel because knowing Jesus makes your life better and your family’s life better. Live the gospel because the good news of Jesus Christ in a person’s life makes the world better.

Live the gospel because you want the person your words and actions touch to know a better life by knowing Jesus Christ. Live the gospel so others will come to know Jesus Christ by the Christ in you.

Jesus has no physical body now but yours. He has not hands and no feet here on this earth to touch other to bring the good news, but yours. You are the eyes of compassion that Christ uses to look on this world.

Jesus is no longer physically present. He asks us to continue his ministry. 

So here before, I stand dressed in white and ask you this. “Christians, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Go out into the world and share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ by the way you live your life and love one another. 

Praise be Jesus Christ – forever and ever. Amen.

Part of the Vine - Reflection 5th Sunday of Easter - Year B

Praise be Jesus Christ, who said I am the vine, you are the branches.

In these few words, Jesus gives Christians mission, purpose, and most of all a true direction. The mission to be one with Christ. The purpose to bear fruit for Christ. And the direction is always to Christ.

God planted the vine, cares for it, and makes it fruitful. We are nourished and prepared by the sacraments so that we may be fruitful branches of Christ.

When Christians speak the truth, we are treated just like the newly converted Paul. No one wants to hear us. Some even want to be rid of us.

More and more persons in this world are turning away from the Christian Faith.

This week, I debated with a young woman. She identifies herself as a Christian, but says she doesn’t think she needs organized religion. They have too many rules. She said many of her friends do not identify as Christians because there are too many rules that they do not agree with.

Even though she did not realize it, the basis of her arguments was - People don't want to hear the truth. They want to be rid of us.

She identifies as a Christian yet argues there is nothing wrong with living together. Birth control is not wrong. And, abortion is justified in certain circumstances.

She argues beautifully. But, argues without Christian merit and truth. She is trying to bear fruit but it does not come from the vine that is Christ.

The greatest argument for those who say there are too many rules is Christ Jesus. 

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.

The greatest win in any argument is to follow the advice in John letter. “Love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

This world gives so many untruths, especially to the young. It is truly a blessing when a young person wants to discuss faith, even if it is to say there are too many rules.

Tell them about the one who said I am the vine and you are the branches.Tell them that find nourisihes us with love.

For some, the truth is just too many rules. But, love is the best truth. Love bears much fruit. It is time to be fruitful. It is time to remain in Jesus. God will prune away the dead branches.

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way you live you life and love one another. Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen.

Point of View - Homily Palm Sunday

I start my homilies Praise be Jesus Christ. Those are great words of praise to share and proclaim this Palm Sunday. Praise we share with the people laying their cloaks and leafy branches on the road before Jesus. Praise in the words, “Hosanna in the highest.”

It’s amazing how fast things change. In the morning they praised Jesus and a short time later they cried “crucify him.” But, it was not necessarily the same people. The point of view was different.

Everyone has a point of view and everyone’s point of view is different. A point of view can be from from love, filled with generosity and compassion. Or, a point of view can be one of hate, filled with racism, bigotry, and prejudice. All are different. For some, if you don’t agree with their point of view, you are wrong.

A  point of view comes from life's experiences, faith, morals, interactions. It expresses wants, needs, and desires. It is inflamed by human passion. As we remember the passion of Christ, remember, all had a point of view.

That first group of people’s point of view of Christ was the messiah. They honored and respected the man, Jesus. They celebrated him.

What were the points of views of the others in the passion. 

Judas the Iscariot’s point of view was not Christ Jesus. His point of view was Judas and money.

The other apostles and disciples' was one of fear; so, they ran away. Their point of view had not yet been inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Another point of view was found in people looking for a different type of messiah. They wanted a rebellion against the Romans. So, they asked Pilate for the release of Barabbas, a rebellion leader. Barabbas’ release fit their point of view.

The point of view of the Sanhedrin, Chief Priests, and scribes was Jesus made them look bad. Even Pilate knew they envied Jesus. All He taught was not necessarily a match for their interpretation of the Law. So they treated him as a violent criminal, sending men armed with swords and clubs to seize him. As he hung on the cross these religious men mocked him.

Pilate’s point of view was he was above all this bickering. If they wanted to crucify Jesus even though he did no wrong, let them. Pilate even put a little fuel on the fire, calling Jesus, King of the Jews.

The point of view of those calling “crucify him” was not the same of those who cried “Hosanna.” To the  “Crucify him” people, Jesus was not who He said He was; not the messiah. Their point of view was formed by the world they lived and experienced. It did not match God’s point of view in Christ Jesus.

One other to consider is the point of view of Jesus.

Jesus is love. Jesus celebrates hope, mercy, and grace. He did no wrong. No deceit came from his mouth. He returned no insult. His life was all self-giving sacrifice. Everything was about giving glory to God.

Friends, our point of view should be closer to Christ’s. A believer should stand up and sacrifice by the example of Christ’s love or fall down and weep because they denied him. If your point of view is not in Christ, in God’s eyes you are wrong.

Is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, the messiah? Or is Jesus something else to you?

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way you live your life and love one another. Praise be Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen.

BAND OF BELIEVERS - Homily 5th Sunday of Lent

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever.

On spiritual journey this lent, my spiritual director asked me to look back on my life and recall my sins. He said recall your thoughtless and deliberate sins. My faith tells me that most of my sins that I can recall, I have given up in confession. Through reconciliation and penance, God has forgotten my sins and should as well. But, those are mostly deliberate sins

As I contemplated, my life went back to my earlier years. I was an athlete in high school and college. Athletes are taught to play. They are told they are important. They are told to win. Arrogance, aloofness, and pride are fertile ground for thoughtless sin.

That was probably me. I knew lot of people with those characteristics. That is why, I admired the marching band.

The band’s members could march and play and count and move all at the same time and look good doing it. If you looked at the band when they practiced or performed you’d see joy and laughter and celebration in the midst of the music and marching and precision all going on at one time.

Great college marching bands spell out the school’s name at half time marching and playing at full breath. There is excitement when the Grambling or Southern marching band shows up no matter where they perform. ULM’s Sound of Today brings joy. They do this with focus and smiles and laughter. All the happiness and pleasure music brings is a vital part of the each member of a great marching band.

It is a great example for Christians to take to heart - Be the band!

Make God, through Christ Jesus, the joy and happiness of who you are

To get there we need to ask God to create in us a clean heart. In that clean heart, God will place what is moral and just, He will write His love upon our hearts; and we shall be His people.

That is how a person walks in His way and counts their blessings. It allows us to bring others closer to God. Christ Jesus living in us allows joy, laughter, and celebration to be found in our relationships with each other. It is the coming to Jesus with pure and clean hearts filled with the music of songs of praise and thanksgiving that we can spell out His name by our life. It is how we bring people to Jesus.

The band is there for the athletic team. But, the team rarely sees the marching band that is the champion of their cause. The team is wrapped up in a game. At the time when the team needs it the most, the band’s support is the strongest and loudest. Usually, the team’s mind and attention is far away.

Think about that example, friends.

Christians as disciples of Jesus Christ, bring others to Christ. Christians pray, serve, and love the poor in spirit, poor in flesh, and those in poverty. Followers of Jesus champion justice and dignity for all persons.

And, the ones that they pray for and support may never see those who stand for them. Christians pray the loudest for those who need Jesus. Often those in need are far away from his presence.

He knew what was asked of him for that Jesus offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears …. He prayed for all humankind.

I’ve compared being a Christian to a marching band; but, the reason the marching band marches is not for the band.

The reason, followers of Christ march, is not for self. We follow Him to something greater.

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

That hour is far more serious than a game. And still, too many in the world are playing. That hour was for every person of the world. Yet, too many are lost in them self.

As a band of believers, we bring the excitement and joy in hope of salvation to the world. We sing the song of redemption through Christ Jesus raised upon the cross.

Not everyone appreciates the band. Not everyone appreciates the beliefs and works of followers of Jesus. But, one who does recognize our effort; Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also my servant will be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Brothers and sisters, bring the music found in the joy of salvation to others.

Be good, be holy, and strike up the band to preach the gospel in the way we live your lives and love one another.

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.

OUR THOUGHTLESS SINS - 5th Sunday of Lent - 3rd Scrutiny

 Praise be Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen

I have been on a spiritual journey this lent. My spiritual director asked me to think back over my life to examine my sins, both thoughtless and deliberate. It’s been a time of scrutiny; and then Father asked me to give the homily this 3^rd scrutiny Sunday.

The scrutinies may seem a little strange. It’s the ancient tradition of the elect examining their life. I invite all here to do the same.

Each scrutiny Sunday has a specific gospel. The 1^st scrutiny is the woman at the well. The 2^nd is the man born blind. And today, the 3^rd scrutiny is the story of the raising Lazarus from the dead.

This gospel is special; but, it begins in a way that can be hard to understand.

When the message came that Lazarus was ill and dying, Jesus remained for two days in the place he was staying. No it wasn’t because He was afraid, Jesus had other reasons.

He was very plain about it. Jesus wanted to increase the faith of believers. “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

You shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have you rise from them.

Lazarus was dead when Jesus got there. But, Lazarus died so that Jesus' power over death would be apparent to all the witnesses. 

The family of Lazarus loved Jesus. They were his disciples. They believed in him, but when their brother died they cried out to Jesus “Lord if you had only been here.”

Jesus tells Martha, "I am the one who raises the dead to life!"  She believes in Jesus; but, she has her doubts, “Lord it been 4 days - there is going to be a stench.”

Friends if you have you ever doubted Jesus - Don’t! Jesus loves us and understands the gift of human life. He understands so well that he stood in front of Lazarus’ tomb weeping. He cried not only for Lazarus, but for his own coming passion.

Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” - “You shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have you rise from them.”

Jesus knows earthly life is so short; so, He calls to us. He calls each of us by name. He calls us to come out of the death of sin.  He calls us back to life. That is why we need a time of scrutiny; a time of quite to examine our self and listen as He calls us.

All are called to glorify God and to fail to do that weather in a thoughtless way or deliberately is sinful.

The scrutinies allow us to contemplate the thoughtless and deliberate sins that kill our hearts and souls. Jesus calls to us let go of the sins. Get rid of the evil of doubt and despair. Come to my voice.

To all the elect and the faithful, remember your family, friends, neighbors and this community of believers loves you, make use of God’s grace found in that love. In this time of scrutiny, pray, meditate, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Praise be Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Dark Hole - Reflection 4th Sunday of Lent - B

Praise be Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen.

I have been in love with Jesus my entire life. As a child, I was always looking for him. As an adult, I felt called to him. But, I was stubborn and wanted to live life my own way.

And for that reason, especially as I look back on some of the stupid things I have done, I am so grateful that God is merciful.

As I grew, I always knew that God wanted something from me. I could hear him calling me to a vocation. As a young man, I contemplated becoming a Baptist preacher like my father. God just never revealed a way for that to happen.

Now, as a Deacon I see God has been leading me to this vocation for so long. During this journey, I have had a relationship with God, through Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But even the best relationships can suffer when one is in that relationship is hard-headed.

That hard-headedness has allowed this world has lead me to places of darkness, I should have never been. These were times when my sins added infidelity upon infidelity in my relationship with God. Yet, God always shielded me with his angels, persons around me that were His messengers speaking to my heart and steering me closer to Him.  

Then, God Himself allowed me to be shut me down. He gave me time to think about our relationship.

I had pneumonia, my lungs had collapsed. The doctors had to operate and before surgery a doctor asked if he could pray with me. Then he told me to count backwards from 10.

My last words were Amen, ten, nine….

The sleep from the anesthesia was dark. There was no light. There were no thoughts or dreams. There was nothing.

When I awoke, all I could think about was a life without God. It was realizing a life of darkness and nothingness; and, a life without love. Without God, there was no love for my wife, children, parents. In that darkness and nothingness there was no relationship with God who had always been there with me.

Although, I had always loved God, from that moment on, I was passionately in love with God. The God I knew was true and living. I was passionately in love with God, the Father, creator of all things, and the only Son, God who is at the Father’s side, and God the Holy Spirit, that is the breath of life in us, the love about us, and the passion for God that is in us.

This was all because of God’s rich mercy. Lord let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you.

Most persons in the world are in the darkness and nothingness that exists without a relationship with God.

It has happened before like in the story of the people of Judah. They thought they were strong and important. They didn’t need God. They mocked the messengers of God, despised His warnings, and scoffed at His prophets. They turned their back on a relationship with God and brought about darkness to the people of Judah.

Sounds like things today. People are so in love with themselves they have forgotten God. They have forgotten their brothers and sisters. The mock what God has revealed in scripture. They despise the truths of creation. They scoff at His Church.

All they want is instant gratification, instant knowledge, and immediate pleasure. Science is important unless the science does not prove their point. The internet and their smart phones have become their god.

Truth has become unimportant.  Opinions have become the relevant. And to a person in this reality, God is no longer as important as the debate of the gender of a toy potato

Jesus warned “The light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.”

Sometimes God uses a worldly culture that is against him to teach a lesson.

One thing for sure, God doesn’t need me. God doesn’t need any of us believers. But, in his compassion, He enjoys us. He loves us. In His mercy, He forgives us. He proved that sending his son, Christ Jesus to be raised up on that cross so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.  

But most are stubborn and want to live in their own way. That is until they learn there is a better way to live than in the mess and misery of sin. In His endless mercy, God forgives the mistakes and missteps we make in this world. He lights the darkness. A person just needs to know where to go to find that light. It is to Jesus.

Friends, believers, Christians raise the cross of Christ for the world to see.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Amen.

Praise be Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.