Returning to our baptism

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Jeremiah 20:10-13

John 10:31-42

All School Mass

How many of you like to go away for vacation? Spring Break!

How many of you like to come home after a vacation?

There is something nice about coming home to a familiar place, sleeping in your own bed, and returning to our regular life routine.

All week long in our Gospel, Jesus has been suffering hardship as he has tried to convince the crowd that he has come from the Father and is the Son of God.

The crowd picks up stones to throw at him in today’s story. In his last attempt to convince the people, he says, Believe who I am by my words and actions!” The crowd only becomes angrier.  

So what does Jesus do? He goes back to where his ministry all began, and he goes back to the Jordon River. It was the place that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and the voice from heaven told him, “This is my beloved son, listen to him.” So Jesus returns to his center, his place of comfort, to strengthen him for what he has to do.

We may not have been baptized here, but when we come into Church, we are reminded of our baptism as we put our hand in the water stoops and bless ourselves.

As Jesus comes back to his place of baptism to be comforted in times of hardship, do we come to this place to be refreshed and continue our ministry in Christ?

We are being made new!

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Genesis 17: 3-9

John 8:51-59

As I awoke this morning, I received a text message that a good friend was taken to the hospital during the night, and he is actively dying of cancer.

When I went to the kitchen to prepare my breakfast, I opened the refrigerator, and instead of taking at the eggs and bacon for breakfast, I took out all the food and the shelves and began to clean and wash the inside of the refrigerator. I wanted to see something made new and clean.

In our first reading, God makes a new covenant with Abram by promising him he will be the father of a host of nations. At this time, Abram and Sarah have no children. As a sign that God will make all things new, Abram is given the new name of Abraham.

In our Gospel, Jesus is trying to make all things new in him by saying that if the people believe in him and his word, they will never die. But, of course, this is too much for them to think about, and the people’s hostility grows more intense.

St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, says, “Therefore we walk by faith; but though our outward body is decaying, yet our inward body is being renewed day by day.

As we draw closer to Holy Week, how we allow God to make us a new creation? What needs to be made clean in our lives?

Is God’s word strong enough in our life?

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95

John 8:31-42

Prayers pg. 121

Preface I of the Passion of the Lord pg. 406

I am in the school twice this week, reading to students since March is “reading month.” Today I am reading to four and five-year-olds a book titled, “Smelly Socks.” I am wearing my unique socks now and have more to wear when I get there this morning. On Friday, I am reading to five-year-olds, and the book I am reading is “You are special.” It is a book about Wemmicks, who are wooden puppets created by the same wood carver. The Wemmicks go around putting grey dots or stars on other Wemmicks. Gray dots are for those with something wrong with them, and a gold star is for these Wemmicks who do great things. I hope the words of these stories enlighten their hearts and teach them lessons about life. 

How deep in us is God’s Word? Has the Word of God taken hold of our hearts and changed how we do things?

In our first reading, the Word of God has sunk deep in the hearts of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They refused to fall and worship a pagan god whenever music was played. Because of this, they are all placed in a fiery furnace seven times heated up what is expected. When they are placed in the fire, they all survive. What fires in our lives does the Word of God need to put out?

In our Gospel, Jesus wants the Word of God to sink deep into the people’s hearts as he says, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” But, instead of setting them free to find their true self in him, these words only set them against him, as they do not see their true self in him.  

As we celebrate the Triduum and Easter, we should ask ourselves, “How deep is the Word of God in our hearts? Are our hearts on fire for the Word of God?

God looks down on us!

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Numbers 21:4-9

John 8:21-30

On the wall above my headboard of my bed, I have a crucifix that looks down on me. So many times as I go to bed, and when I wake up, I look up at the crucifix and am reminded that I am not alone. I know that the love of God watches over me when I sleep and am awake. How do we know the God looking down on us with great love?

In our first reading, the people once again complain about a lack of water and proper food. Yahweh is unhappy with his people, so he sends snakes to bite them. Moses makes a bronze snake and raises it on a pole so that people will be healed when they look at it. In this raising of a serpent on a pole, we see the foretaste of Jesus on the cross in the serpent being raised.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus says the Father never leaves him alone, and they are one.” Jesus knew that each time he looked up, his heavenly Father was with him, giving him the strength he needed to do everything.

Mother Theresa once said the most significant poverty we know is not a lack of money but suffering from loneliness. How many people sit in their homes in loneliness?

As we are reminded of God’s great love for us, perhaps we could reach out to others who may be lonely and let them know they are loved.

Lazarus come out!

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Roams 8:8-11

John 11: 1-45

There are three movements within our gospel that I want to call our attention to, but before I get to them, we need to know the backdrop that sets the stage. Jesus receives news that his friend Lazarus has died. He is only two miles away, yet he waits four days to come. Why? He could have been there in less than an hour! It was a rabbinic tradition that the Spirit hovered around the dead body for three days. Jesus wanted to ensure that Lazarus was dead and that all life had left him. The whole point of Jesus’ waiting is “so the glory of God will be shone, and that all peoples will come to know that he is about life, not death.”

Here is movement one! (Go to the back of the Church) The goal is to get to Jesus and believe, but Martha and Mary are here at a distance. Martha and Mary tell Jesus, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” I can hear their faith in Jesus, the only thing is they do not have 100% faith in Jesus. Martha and Mary are not alone because many of us are also here, looking from a distance. (Now walking forward and stopping before the step into the sanctuary) We often say, “Lord, if you had been here, I would not be in this mess. Lord, if you had been here to answer my prayers, things would be different. Lord, if you had been here, I would know what to do.”

Here is the second movement! (Walk to the top of the sanctuary) Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Martha responds, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” Martha is coming to believe, but she is not there yet, because as she goes to get her sister Mary, she only calls Jesus a “teacher”; she does not refer to him as the Messiah. Can we come to believe in this truth of Jesus Christ? If we could, then our lives would not be a mess.

The last movement is this! (Now standing before the cross) Jesus is greatly disturbed as he says, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said, “Lord, by now, there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus asked her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed so everyone could hear, “Do this so they may believe!” Jesus cries out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus told them, “Untie him and let him go.” Notice Jesus does not go in; he has Lazarus come out. This is how it is with us! Jesus is always calling us to new life with him. We may be entombed with sin, and Jesus calls us forth.

(Now turning to the cross) Lord, I know I do not always listen to your voice calling me out from those things that entomb me. I know that you died on the cross for me. Please help me to hear your voice this week.

Homework: What in our life needs new life to spring forth? What in our lives entombs us in darkness? Let us hear the voice of God calling us to the light of a new day. 

We are sent!

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Wisdom 2:1, 12-22

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

All School Mass

I do not have a question for you this morning. However, the readings have moved me deep within my heart, so I want to talk to you.

I went to St. Timothy’s grade school, and my time there taught me so much. Sr. Mary Bede our principal, taught me about holiness as it radiated from her face. Going to mass each week taught me reverence. Sr. Maria Hosea my second grade teacher, taught me kindness. But, most of all, my Catholic Education taught me to be brave in my faith and how to live my faith every day.

I begin this way because our first reading warns us what we all know: there is evil in the world. We can choose to participate in it, or with can choose to fight against it. I choose to fight against evil in my life by using the grace from all the sacraments offered to us.

Our Gospel is leading us to Palm Sunday! At this time in Jesus’ life, many have turned against him, and many are planning how to arrest him and have him killed.

Because of this unrest, Jesus initially decided not to go with his disciples to Jerusalem for the celebrations taking place in the city. However, later Jesus chooses to go, but when people begin to recognize him, tensions start to grow, and people question why he is in attendance. Finally, Jesus courageously says, “I did not come here on my own. I came because I have been sent, whom you do not know, but I know him.”

Jesus is bold and courageous because he goes not of his own will but because he knows that God the Father has sent him to be there and nothing can harm him at this time.

My friends in Christ, boldness comes, and fear leaves when we know God has sent us. We have all been sent here by the Lord to learn about Jesus and live our faith.

Do not be afraid. Jesus wasn’t!

Do not be afraid to bring the Good News to others.

Do not be afraid because we have been sent!

It is an honor and privilege to know Jesus Christ.

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Exodus 32:7-14

John 5:31-47

Last night I talked with a priest friend about how busy I have been and have not even had time to get my workout exercise in this week. He shared that he did not have time for dinner last night because he talked to give, and he was too busy during the day to get dinner. Then he said something that snapped me out of grumbling! He said, “Isn’t it an honor and a privilege to bring God’s Word to a people who are hungry and starved for His word?” 

In our first reading, Moses is up on the mountain with God, and while he is away, the people grumble amongst themselves, making a molten calf to worship. God is very displeased with his people and wants to wipe them out. Moses pleads with God to forgive them, and God relents his punishment. Moses knows what an honor and privilege it is to be a messenger for God. Because of this relationship, he can change what God wants to do because he is so close to God.

In our Gospel, the people are grumbling about who Jesus is and do not know what an honor it is and privilege to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus tells them that he and the Father are one and that the Father gives testimony to who he is. But, unfortunately, the people’s hearts are not turned away from their grumbling.

What might we grumble about today and need our hearts returned to God? Do we realize what an honor and privilege it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ? May we grumble less and give God glory more.

The heart of God!

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Isaiah 49:8-15

John 5:17-30

What did you hear in our readings today? How did the readings make you feel? Did you feel challenged, threatened, or encouraged?

In our first reading, God says through Isaiah, “I have heard and answered your prayers. I am here to comfort and keep you close to my heart.”

The people respond, “The Lord has forsaken us. The Lord has forgotten us.” God responds to their outcry, “Can a woman forget her child? If this is even possible, I will never forget you.”

In our Gospel, Jesus says, “The Father and he are one. He cannot do anything what the Father, and because of this, we will see even greater things than we think possible.”

Jesus says The hour is coming when even the dead will hear his voice. When the living hears his voice, they will be given the power to do great things.”

How are we working in conjunction with God this morning? Are we in harmony with the will of God, or are we distant from the will of God?

May we hear his voice and know that the Lord is near us!

Spiritual sight!

 Fourth Sunday of Lent

I Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13

Ephesians 5: 8-14

John 9:1-41

I recently had an eye doctor appointment, and many of us are familiar with the eye chart exam. (Put up eye chart) We are asked to read as many lines as possible. Of course, I always begin with the last line and guess what the letters are. Any good eye doctor knows what we can and can’t see, and they want to help us see.

Our question for us to ponder today is not about our physical blindness, which we can get a corrective lens. But can we see into another person’s heart and love them into something new and fabulous?

In our first reading, Samuel is sent by God to the house of Jesse to anoint the next King. Samuel sees seven of his sons and is ready to anoint the first son, the new King, when God says, “No, not this one!” Samuel asks Jesses if he has more sons, and David is summoned to come in from the fields. David is so insignificant that even his father does not see his greatness in him, but God does.

In our Gospel, Jesus passes by a blind man and heals him of his blindness. The man does not ask to be healed. The first step in seeing as Jesus does into the hearts of others is to know Jesus wants us to have this gift. The only one in the story that rejoices for the blind man is Jesus. All the others, his neighbors, the religious leaders, and even his parents, no longer know who he is. They do not know how to see him without his disability.

Homework: Who is there in our lives that we do not allow to grow and change into something better. Who do we hold in their disabilities? Do we have the capability to see them in a new way and celebrate this change? Let us have eyes like God and see into the hearts of others and love them.

How far to the Kingdom of God?

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Hosea 14: 2-10

Mark 12:28 – 34

Q.) How far is it from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Disney World in Orlando, Florida?

1. It is 1231.3 miles, and it will take 18 hours and 23 minutes to drive there.

Q.) How far is it from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Breckenridge, Colorado?

1. It is 1241 miles, and it will take you 17 hours, and 46 minutes, to drive there.

Q.) How far is it from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the Kingdom of God?

Our readings encourage people to know the distance to the Kingdom of God!

In our Gospel, a scribe asks Jesus, “What is the greatest of all the commandments?” Jesus answers him, “To love God with all our heart, with all your soul, with all mind, and with all your strength. And you are to love your neighbor as yourself.” The man responds, “You are correct in answering this way.” Jesus tells him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

We are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven when we learn to love enough to forgive. When we learn to love with all our hearts and do our best in all we do.

What if we were given a notification for each time we loved God by loving our neighbor? How many times would we get a notification throughout the day?

Let’s stop and be silent and pray for someone who may be having the worst day of their life!

How far are we from the Kingdom of God? It is right here in our midst!