January 1, 2017

Mary, the Holy Mother of God Year A Numbers 6: 22-27; Galatians 4: 4-7; Luke 2: 16-21 Happy New Year! My prayers are with every person picking up this blog. I have no idea who will pick this up, a person I know or a perfect stranger. I am offering my New Year’s masses for all who look at this blog. We all need prayers, this is a ‘Mass’ prayer for each of you now. Isn't it special to know that someone is offering their mass for you? Any number of people down through the years have told me, ‘Father, I pray for you every day’ or ‘I said a prayer for you today’. Both of these situations made me feel just a little bit more special and cognizant that God was with me. I am reminded of this in today’s first reading from the Book of Numbers. After many months at the base of Mount Sinai,, the tribes of Israel were prepared to set out for the Promised Land. Moses had brought them from Egypt. They had time to prepare leaders to guide them. They had celebrated the Passover as a reminder of all the difficulties and hardships along with the persecutions and ill-treatment they had received at the hands of the Egyptians. Aaron and his sons were the priests and had been offering sacrifices to God. Up to now only Moses could invoke the Divine Name of God over the people. Now the priests also had the privilege of invoking the Divine Name over the people which appears three times in today’s reading. God’s blessing has been experienced so often in their journey: protecting them from enemies and providing food and water in the desert. All this would remain as long as they remained faithful. They did for a while then lost faith and God would forgive them. This reading is special to me because my Jesuit Spiritual Director, Fr. Joe Neville, who died last September 3, would In always give me the same blessing from today’s reading.exact blessing from today’s reading: “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Do you bless your children when they leave you? Do you bless your parents and grandparents for all they have done for you? Do you bless your friends for all their love? Reflect upon this…! In the second reading, Paul is bringing out a very simple message for us by marveling at God’s plan of salvation. At the moment that God wanted, Jesus was born of Mary. He was born to free us from the law. So we are no longer slaves under the law but are children of God privileged to address God as Father. Msgr. Chet Michael felt that J. B. Phillips The New Testament in Modern English was the most accurate translation of Paul’s letters. I quote, “But when the proper time came God sent His own Son, born of a human mother and born under the jurisdiction of the Law, that He might redeem those who were under the jurisdiction of the Law, that He might redeem those who were under the authority of the Law, so that we might become sons of God. It is because you really are His sons that God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts to cry ‘Father, dear Father’. You are not a servant any longer; through God you are a son; and. If you are a son, then you are certainly an heir.” “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Think about it for a minute: what was Mary’s greatest gift to us? Was it her saying ‘Yes’ to the Angel? Was it her absolute trust in God, not knowing in the slightest what was ahead of her? Was it raising and teaching Jesus how to pray and to be a person of love? Was it her numerous examples of living in charity, like visiting her cousin Elizabeth? Was it her showing respect to every person, the poor shepherds and the multi-rich magi? Or was it her trying to work through all the situations that continually came up in her life that puzzled her so much so that she “…kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart”? I have a lot of work to do on this ‘reflecting’. Luke indicates today that Mary kept reflecting. The Greek word used is symballo and can mean ‘converse,’ ‘meditate’, or ‘ponder.’ Luke certainly implies that Mary was not able to immediately grasp the full meaning of what she was told or what was happening. Luke does not say that this was a deficiency on Mary’s part. Mary’s faith in God and her absolute trust made her STOP and think about God’s action in her life and God’s gentle care. This is something that each of us can relate to…why do these ‘special’ things happen in my life? Is God telling me something? Mary took time out in her life to think on these things. If I just pass these ‘special things’ by, I will never see the presence of God and how He is leading me and showing the meaning of what is happening in my life. It is impossible to know God’s plan. He gives us help by deepening our faith in Him and comprehending His love and care in many circumstances. When we look at the times that Mary is mentioned in the Gospels we see that her heart must have been a treasure chest of God’s love. At the same time many of these were fearful moments: running away from Herod’s death squads, living in a foreign country and not knowing the language, watching her Son be rejected by the ‘religious experts’ of the day, swallowing all fear and standing next to Him during His crucifixion and death. These coupled with the miracles and people leaving her Son healed, comforted and loved. The strong implication is that Mary turned to God, trusting Him who brought her through each day of her life. Do I? I imagine that After Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension, Mary did quite of bit of comfort counseling to the apostles and those who were close to Jesus who needed Mary’s wisdom and gentle strokes. Do I realize that the people who come into my life daily in need could be directly sent by God so that I, like Mary, could respond by sharing the gifts God has touched me with? So I reflect on: • Who needs my blessing today? What place or situation could use a blessing? • Where do I have conflict in my heart? Have I tried asking God for help in this? • When I look at my life, I see some major times of real ups and downs. What helped me to ‘keep it all together’? Did I express my gratitude? • It is good for me to reflect on the times I spoke ‘heart to heart’ with God. How did I focus myself so I could ‘hear’ God? Sacred Space 2017 shares: “According to the story, an angel had months ago appeared to Mary, and more angels had now appeared to the shepherds. All the heavenly messengers had conveyed an assurance: ‘You are going to see that God has sent into the world a prince from heaven’s kingdom.’’ The promise filled all with anticipation and the fulfillment filled all — Mary and the shepherds—with thanksgiving. Placing myself alongside Mary before the child, I try to open my heart to thanksgiving for all that God has done in my life. We start the year, as we start life, under the protection of a mother. Today we celebrate the most passionate and ensuring of all human relationships, that of mother and child. As Mary looked at her baby and gave Him her breasts, she knew that there was a dimension here beyond her guessing. Christians thought about it for three centuries before the Council of Ephesus, in which they dared to consecrate the title ‘theotokos’, mother of God. Like Mary, I treasure the words spoken about Jesus and ponder them in my heart.”

December 25, 2016

Christmas A Isaiah 52: 7-10; Hebrews 1: 1-6; John 1: 1-18 We have one of those rare years when Christmas Day is celebrated on Sunday. You come to the computer to read this blog, probably many hours or days after today’s feast showing God’s total committed love for each of us. Depending on which liturgy you attended on Christmas, you noticed that there were four different gospel readings. John’s Gospel is the only one used in the Mass of the Day. If you get a chance to look at the official ecumenical readings for Christmas, you will see that This Gospel of John is the only one used by all denominations. This is certainly another reason to see the importance of this passage. In John’s Gospel, the author does not mention familiar nativity participants like angels and stars, or a stable and a manger or the vicious Herod or the shepherds or magi or sheep and other animals that we have in our manger scene. John doesn’t start the scene in Bethlehem or Nazareth but in Heaven. WHY? John’s goal is to make us aware of our salvation that was eternally promised by God. So salvation is not only a matter of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection but one that starts with God’s plan. John beautifully explained this in his dialogue with Nicodemus, the most quoted passage from his gospel Jn 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” We know this by heart and find it pretty easy to reflect on the love that God is showing He has for every single person. The next verses (17-21) continues to clarify God’s love: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the Son of God. And this is the verdict, that 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 words might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his words may be clearly seen as done in God.” This is God’s wisdom. We have to spend some time mulling this over in our minds. It is God’s desire to return all people to His plan. We saw this plan in Moses’ description of the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve lived in the peace and presence of God. God wants to restore this peace to each of our lives…do we live this? Do we know that Jesus took on human form not just to free us from sin, but to make us into God’s people, His sons and daughters, members of His family and not just servants? Jesus put our human nature to death on the cross so that we might be restored to the divine nature and become like Jesus. John takes these themes of light, life, truth and glory and continues to enrich them in his gospel. John brings them out in many different ways because he wants us to look into our lives and realize that we have experienced them daily. God is with us, John continues to tell us. He cares for us; He loves us just exactly the way we are now…in our needs…in our doubts…in our asking for help. He loves us and cares for us. John explains that it is the Holy Spirit who continues where Jesus left off. Jesus came not only to teach us, He came to transform us. This is the work of the Spirit gracing us. Every day, we can meet Jesus in our prayers, we can meet Him in the Eucharist, we can meet Him in our relationships, we can meet Him in our regular routines and the Spirit lifts us and our works up to heaven. These works of the Spirit can make us more like Jesus every day. So often the surroundings of this season obscure us from the focus and central issue of Christmas. We just cannot escape from the mystery of the Incarnation. God is with us. God needs us to be Jesus to others. God has been born among us as Emmanuel or God-with-us. God is with us helping us each and every day. His goodness can manifest itself in us in so many ways especially when we care for those less fortunate than ourselves. Any person who is in need and is right in front of us, presents an opportunity for us to be Jesus to them. We will be constantly distracted by our culture pleading with us to buy…you need this…be good to yourself…let others care for themselves.’ Many years ago Simon and Garfunkel in one of their earliest recordings performed ‘Silent Night/Seven o’clock news’ I do not believe that they ever re-recorded it…it is not on their greatest album sets, yet I remember it well. It begins with the duo singing Silent Night…in the background begins the international headline news from a radio station…it becomes louder and louder capturing the killings, the brutalities, the violence going on in the world…they news fades into the background as the Song ends. I cried the first time I heard it as I’m now. Jesus came into a very violent world to tell us that this was not God’s plan. Listen to God. Know that He loves each one. He’s with each person helping them be people who care and live love. This is God’s plan. This is how we will be redeemed. This is why we have a part in redeeming the world, our world. We will constantly face obstacles and non-believers. But we are to be examples to the world. It was attributed to Francis of Assisi a message for us, ‘Preach and once in a while use words.’ Day in and day out, Jesus wants to reveal the Father to us and draw us into a closer relationship with Him. Do we let Him? He wants to transform our thoughts, words and actions. All He asks is that we keep ourselves linked to the Spirit. We are to be His Light. Where do we need His help today to do that? I reflect on: • I look at when I have experienced the Light of Christ as stronger than darkness in my life. Where does this lead me? • What is one way that I can testify to the power of the Christ-light this Christmas? Do I try to bring light into other people’s lives? Where does that light come from? Do I welcome this same light when it is offered to me? • Do I understand the true value of the gift I have been given, the very gift of God Himself? Do I sometimes take for granted what God has done for me? • Where did I find the true spirit of Christmas during this past month? Did I keep a aright balance between my secular and spiritual sides? Sacred Space 2017 says, “In this hymn, which introduces the fourth Gospel, John proclaims the faith that marks us as Christian. We believe that Jesus is the word of God, God’s perfect expression. ‘No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made Him known.’ Lord, in the year that starts tonight, let me grow in the knowledge of God. May I receive of your fullness, grace upon grace. You took on this mortal flesh for me and lived among us. May this coming year bring me closer to You. In this time of prayer, I let what is at the heart of God reveal itself to me: life and light for all. I acknowledge what comes between me and this life God offers. I identify what darkens my heart and narrows my vision. The goodness and generosity of God are here for me as God longs to become present in the world through me.”

December 18, 2016

4th Sunday of Advent A Isaiah 7: 10-14; Romans 1: 1-7; Matthew 1: 18-24 We have one week until Christmas. Actually many people hasten the celebration and begin on Christmas Eve. I remember when I was young the first Christmas mass was at Midnight. Our family went to this mass, then we had a big festive breakfast, cleaned up the dishes and went to bed. On Christmas morning we opened the presents. Being the youngest I was the first up and could not figure why it took the rest of the family so long to arise. What was the meaning of Christmas…I knew it was about the coming of Jesus. But what does this mean? Is it just receiving presents, especially the present of Jesus or is there more involved on my part? The readings on this last Sunday of Advent clarify the gift and my accountability. The first reading is from the prophet Isaiah. God sends the prophet to meet Ahaz the King of Judah. He was twenty when he became king and reigned for sixteen years. At the time of this writing, he is taking steps to secure his kingdom from attack. He was determined to do it his way and doesn't need God’s help. His kingdom was bordered by the great attacking Assyrians and the potential for violence was imminent. Isaiah told him to trust God. Isaiah says that God is always present and always available for help. He invites the King to ask for any sign at all from God to help him realize God’s presence and help. The King declines; he cannot imagine how God can help in securing his kingdom from attack. He tries to cover up his lack of faith by saying he doesn’t want to tempt the Lord. He has everything under control. Isaiah continues; many of the king’s solutions have failed in the past and the people are unsettled. So he tells the king that the Lord will choose a sign. A virgin will conceive a son. She will name the son, ‘God is with us’ (Emmanuel) because by the time the child is born, it will be obvious that God has saved the people just as Isaiah has predicted. Paul begins his letter to the Romans by thanking God for the honor and privilege to proclaim the gospel: God has risen, He has saved His people. He is doing it God’s way. Paul has been called to spread the Good News of the Gospel, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to the Gentiles. Now for centuries, the people of Israel saw themselves as God’s people, no one else had this specialness. Everyone else was of less or no real concern to God. He tells the Romans and everyone that we have also been called to belong to Jesus. We are called to be holy. We are called to live the Good News when convenient or inconvenient…when we want to and when we don’t want to…when it is easy and when it is hard. We have been privileged to be called and most importantly we have duties and responsibilities that go along with the gift of our faith. Am I living my faith? Am I living my belief in Jesus? Am I living the Catholic Faith? Am I a witness of Jesus? Matthew shares the infancy narrative through the eyes of Joseph. The angel clarifies Jesus’ origins telling Joseph not to be frightened to take Mary as his wife, “For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. “ This was the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah we heard in the first reading. Joseph had a plan as to what he should do—divorce Mary quietly and disappear from the scene. It wasn’t God’s plan. Much like the ‘plan’ of Ahaz, God wants to bring His plan for redemption to the world. His plan was to send His son so that all would know that God loves all His creation. He wants His creatures to realized that they are loved and that the end product of His plan is that each one lives forever with Him in heaven. The child’s name is Jesus — YHWH saves…God saves! The name Emmanuel is also important because it means God is with us. Matthew completes this in the very last words of his Gospel Matthew 28: 19-20 after the Resurrection when Jesus summons His disciples probably to the Mount of Beatitudes and says, Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “A Disciple: Those who accepted Jesus’ message to follow Him are called His disciples. Jesus associated His disciples with His own life, revealed the mystery of the Kingdom to the disciples and gave them a share in His mission, His joy, and His sufferings.” We have been called, we have been chosen. We come from a long line of people whose faith and trust made clear that God is with us. Now we can’t hide this, Ahaz tried and Joseph had the idea to do this. But we can’t hide the fact that God is with us all the time in all situations. I have the obligation to tell this story. It is realizing the greatest gift that we have ever received, our life, our faith, and most especially that each one is loved. God is with us…God is with me…NOW WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT? One of the difficulties of our age and even in our religion is the realization that we are special. In realizing this we feel that we’ve received some gifts other’s haven’t…thus making me ‘better’ than others. And if I feel that I’m am in this situation then I don’t have to do anything about it. I can just live in ‘royalty’ and reap the benefits. John Cassian was one of the very early writers on monasticism in the fourth century. He said that the purpose of holiness is being a person what he calls pure of heart. With purity he is not talking about chastity but in the sense of a heart really open to God, open to other people and free from the obstructions that we have to be ‘like God’. Adam and Eve wanted to ‘be like God’. They didn’t recognize their complete dependence on God. But we are: we are creatures of God, we are children of God and we are called upon to allow God to be the dominating and motivating force with our own lives. So each day we all have work to do. Christmas is God’s gift to us…how are we living this gift? So we reflect on: • So I believe that God will ask of me only what I can do? How do I react when God seems to ask more than I think I can handle? Do I trust that God will be with me through everything? • How much trust did Joseph show in today’s gospel? Is my faith as complete as that of Joseph? Are there times when faith asks more of me than I wish? • Do I willingly and knowingly invite God into my life? In what way? Sacred Space 2017 says: “Joseph is faced with a heartbreaking dilemma. His life is in turmoil because he loves Mary so much. Let me imagine for a few moments how welcome the angel’s message must have been to him! How quickly he acts, allowing himself to follow his heart and not allowing his sense of legal obligation to rule. How often in Scripture does the quiet prompting of the Spirit come from within, in the form of a dream. How sensitive must the dreamers have been, to recognize the Spirit in their hearts. Do I invite the Spirit to prompt me? How ready am I to hear what the Spirit might suggest?

December 11, 2016

3rd Sunday of Advent A Isaiah 35: 1-6, 10; James 5: 7-10; Matthew 11: 2-11 I’m thinking back to my youth…probably the most difficult time during Advent was that Christmas seemed so far away. The song, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, maybe was written for kids, but it seemed it was more for the benefit of the parents so they could keep the young ones patient. But patience is not a virtue in any way shape or manner for kids. Are we there yet? This is the perpetual cry from their lips. We would imagine that parents and adults have patience and kids do not, but that is really not the case. In our world, we older people, just do not like to wait. We do not really like standing in lines. This carries over to our spiritual life: we pray and we want answers. When we don’t get an immediate response we wonder, ‘Is God too busy for me?’…’Have I done something wrong to offend God?’ and on and on. So what are we to do…how can we stay focused on God’s love and His care for each of us this season? How can we take time just to be with God? The readings help us with this. Today’s passage from Isaiah was a part of a collection of oracles that was written during the Babylonian Exile (Babylonian Captivity). In 586 BC King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquered Judah. He destroyed Solomon’s Temple and exiled the leadership and elite to Babylon. The exile formally ended in 538 BC when Cyrus the Great, the Persian ruler conquered Babylonia and gave the Jews permission to return home. The prophets began to see these international events as plans of a just and merciful God. The prophet Jeremiah says, “Hence, thus says the Lord of hosts: Since you would not listen to My words, lo! I will send for and fetch all the tribes of the North says the Lord (And I will send to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, my servant); I will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants and against all these neighboring nations. I will doom them, making them an object of horror, of ridicule, of avenging reproach.” He goes on to say that this will last for 70 years and then He will restore His people. Later on, Isaiah offers encouragement to the people by describing the changes in store for them through God’s goodness and grace. He tells them that without faith in God, the kingdom was like a desert. It needed the life-giving waters of faith. Once the people trusted God and looked for security in Him rather than their earthly resources, this ‘desert’ would teem with life again. Their eyes will open and their ears will be attentive and they will make steady progress toward God. As He began His ministry, Jesus said ‘the blind will see, the deaf hear, the lame will rejoice in the presence of the Lord.’ So what are the people to do? James’ first words sets the goal, Be patient. He uses the example of a farmer who realizes that when he plants the seed, it will grow if watered and nourished. Even though it cannot be seen, there is constant activity going on under ground. God is constantly present in every person. In many of them we notice His presence through their goodness and love of people. But in others we see no signs of God’s love. How can God be in the killers, the terrorist, the evil people? Well, God is present. He can make good out of evil as seen in Jeremiah and Isaiah. So for many of us all we have to do is to look back on our lives to see the times when we were estranged from God. Maybe we refused to believe, or just would not go to church, or were totally consumed with ourselves and not helping and caring to those in our lives. Whatever it was, it can be compared in many facets to the Babylonian Captivity. We were ‘held captive’ by a force or power that seemingly overcame us and filled us with that ugliness and angry feeling that everything was owed to ‘me’. We had to wallow in this state until the grace of God somehow touched us…maybe through a person…maybe through a healing miracle…maybe in answer to a prayer…maybe through some kindness or love from an unexpected source. But we can say at that moment or at those moments ‘I felt that I was important…that I was loved…that I was special…and I was not alone.’ James tells us that God is with us, He gives us nourishment and care, He gives us grace and love. So, endure what comes without complaint, taking the lives of the prophets as our guide. Grumbling against others and myself just results in doubts about God’s presence and love. In the gospel, John the Baptist’s disciples have been sent to Jesus by John. John was unsure, he was not patient, he didn’t have much time to live, on death row in Herod’s prison. He wanted to know when this Messiah would begin to change it all to God’s world. Just like the new gardener, they want the flowers or crops to bloom soon, but everything takes its time. St Francis de Sales says to be patient with everyone and most of all with ourselves. Patience means accepting whatever comes our way including suffering, without becoming angry or upset. Watching the garden and becoming more angry and impatient with its delay doesn’t help it to grow any faster. Thanking God for the seeds, the water, the soil and the Giver of all life deepens our trust that the garden will indeed grow. Be patient, rejoice always. Msgr Chet Michael said over and over again, “Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude, [pause) and more Gratitude. So we take an overview of the readings. At the time of Isaiah’s prophecies, his world was in shambles due to the oppression by ruthless empires. People were scared, cities destroyed, populations were forced into exile. We see this today. But Isaiah speaks of hope. For those who trust in God, restoration is always on the way. James tells us that being patient with planted and invisible seeds is always challenging. This crying infant, may one day be a leader, artist, teacher. Whatever we are involved with may often feel like a waste of time. Yet love and the cross remind us, that our efforts are never wasted. How many times has our patience been rewarded. And Jesus tells us about John that, “Of those born of women, there has been none greater than John the Baptist” what a magnificent tribute but Jesus adds, “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Why? Because John fails to see the seed of divine activity at work all around him. God is present, active, loving and using me…each one of us to prepare the world for God’s kingdom of Heaven. So we reflect on: • Take some time to ‘look positive’….How much good news can I see this year personally and globally? • What seeds have I panted that are still growing and will bear fruit because I am including God in the growing process? • Where do I see God’s grace active in my world and in the World? • What helps me to live the virtue of patience? What hinders its growth in me? • What things are controlling my life now? How can I resist the lure of more things? Would this make me happier? Sacred Space 2017 says ,”There is real comfort in this story. John the Baptist, the powerful, austere man who holds such sway among the Jews, still has his moments of darkness. Imprisoned in Herod’s dungeon, he wonders: Am I a fool? Is this all there is? Was I wrong about Jesus? He does not just brood on the question; he sends messengers to Jesus. And Jesus does not send back reassurances; rather, He asks the messengers to open their eyes and see the evidence of Jesus’ life. ‘Go and tell what you hear and see…the blind receive their sight…’! What do I see and hear? Do I see the signs of God’s kingdom breaking through in the world around me? What does it look like? If I don’t see any positive signs, why not? Do I need to look again, or look differently? Am I somehow looking for ‘soft robes’ and ‘royal palaces’ when God is offering me a prophet?”

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.”