December 4, 2016

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent A Isaiah 11: 1-10; Romans 15: 4-9; Matthew 3: 1-12 The theme for this second week of Advent is a Time of Change. Change is never easy. We become very comfortable in the way we are accustomed to living. This applies to the spiritual life too. We all have our regular routine for prayers, devotions, corporal and spiritual works of mercy. So often the desire is that ‘I’m not doing enough’…or ‘I should do more.’ This week’s reflection suggests that we step back and with the Spirit examine what we do and to reflect on where the Spirit is leading us. Each person is invited to live more closely to the example and teachings of Jesus. This is very nice to say, but am I doing this? Perhaps a better question is to ask: What is getting in the way of may living the Jesus life? We all have to be realistic that any change really starts with my heart: Do I really want to live as Jesus showed me? Some more questions: Do I really believe that God is loving me right now? Am I afraid of God? Am I afraid that I will never be good enough for God and therefore never be good enough for heaven? A good place to start when these arise is to reflect on Who is God for me? What is my God like? Do I agree with what Jesus said about God: John tells us that God is love in 1 John 4:8, “Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God? Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” There are a vast number of definitions and descriptions of love and the most well know is John 3:16: when Jesus was talking with Nicodemus, most likely a member of the Sanhedrin, and said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His own Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” John continues with Jesus discourses after the Last Supper, “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love that this to lay down one’s life for ones friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” We have to reflect long and hard and very frequently on the love that God has for ‘me, right now!’ Another distraction that gets in the way of living the Jesus life are my thoughts. We realize the hunger that each has for God…a hunger for more…a hunger to be with God and thank Him but we are pulled in so many other directions at home, at work, school and elsewhere. We struggle to spend quality time and energy with our family and friends. But when we finally have some time to sit down with God and pray, our thoughts just do not sit down with us. They are all over the place. And then there are the numerous distractions around us: the phone, computer, internet, e-mail, a deadline and the list continues. When these come up we almost feel that it is far easier not to pray at all, it’s just too hard to get started. Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk and a prolific writer on prayer and spirituality, echoed the words of Therese of Lisieux said, “If you have never had any distractions, you don’t know how to pray.” This is comforting, but how do I change and realize God’s closeness and love? Today’s Gospel introducing John the Baptist gives a big hint. Here was John, probably well acquainted in the Essenes community. He had been living a life of fasting and sacrifice coupled with deep prayer. He felt that His mission was to introduce the Messiah. This was very vague to him and he struggled with what this meant. So he preached today to an assembly of Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to his baptism. Somehow they realized that they had to improve their relationships with God (maybe). John called them “You brood of vipers Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” They were the religious leaders that had failed to guide the people in the ways of the authentic Torah. They felt that salvation is something they inherited simply by being a son or daughter of Abraham. That’s what they felt and John is yelling at them demanding What are you doing? If you really want to prove that you are sincere live the life of God …Be kind… Be loving…Be compassionate…Be faithful…Be forgiving…Be an example. Today we say, ‘walk the walk…not talk the talk’ or something like that. Are people who come into my life leaving with a knowledge that they are loved, cared for and important? Do people feel that in me? Are people coming with their life problems? Just the fact that they are coming to me, means that they see something in me that maybe I don’t even see in myself? Produce Good Fruit! When I’m with someone who is angry at the world or some part of it, what do I do? Do I Produce Good Fruit? When someone comes to me who is so upset by the people in their life, what do I do? Do I Produce Good Fruit? When I encounter people who are liking the power or accomplishments they have accumulated? Am I listing my own greatness? Or am I Producing Good Fruit? When I’m faced with someone who repeatedly offends people, apologizes, and offends again, what do I do? Do I Produce Good Fruit? John told his listeners to recognize the sin that’s in their lives and turn away from it. This required more than just saying they were a sinner. It required a change…not only saying, I’m sorry. That is the way that we purify our hearts, we change our hearts and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Pharisees and Sadducees were all about appearance, their claim at repentance was insincere. John calls them unfruitful trees ready to be cut down and burned. He’s asking me if my tree is producing good fruit? Again, when people leave my presence are they cemented in their own condition or do they realize they have been touched by God’s love? It was said that St. Francis of Assisi taught, ‘Preach and one in a while use words.’ The Point is: when I realize that each day, as best I can that I am ‘producing fruit’ or that the people I’m with see Jesus, I will come to the realization that God is with me because that’s the only way I can do what I’m doing. In reality, we see that God is doing the doing and I am being His instrument. I reflect on; • What change might God be asking of me in order to live Jesus’ life more clearly? • Am I approaching my prayer as a partnership with God? Do I think the level of my trust affects how God responds to my prayers? Why or why not? Do I usually trust God when I make a request? • Sometimes it can be very helpful to write a letter to myself in God’s voice. Am I open to allow the Spirit to fill this letter with love, acceptance, encouragement, hope or whatever God desires to say to me? • Take time to reflect on how I have progressed in my spiritual journey and prayer life? Where do I want to make more progress? Sacred Space 2017 shares : “God does not want me to receive the Word passively. I work WITH God, preparing the way in my life, expectant and hopefully watching for God’s approach.”