Do you want to get well?

It happens so often in life. No matter how careful, or what preventive measures we take, we can still get sick. And when we do, we look for the cure, be it from a doctor, or some kind of medicine or prayer. Yes, sometimes even a miracle

 We see that in one of the Gospels. The man born crippled, lay at the healing waters at the pool of Bethesda, but was unable to reach to waters for healing because of his condition.

“Do you want to be well” Jesus asks the man. A question where you would expect a yes or a no. But the man responds by saying how difficult it is to get to the pool. 

Was that an excuse? Was he, after all these years, just giving up? Was hope fading quickly? Did he believe that he would die a cripple?

Many of us find ourselves in the same boat, making excuses for why God isn’t first in our lives. Giving up our prayer life and losing hope, allowing our surroundings and circumstances to be our master.  But God will always ask us “do you want to be well”

Of all the people at the pool that day, Jesus singles out this hopeless man. Where there was doubt, he awakens hope by asking the man a simple yet searching question "Do you want to be well?" 

But, the man, in his heart said yes, but the excuses poured out as to why he was not well. And Jesus, reading his heart, said "rise, take up your mat and walk!"

Like the crippled man, God knows our heart and will not force our hand against our will.  He reads our heart, not our excuses.

And on that day, that hopeless man was healed, and just like that man, of all the people in the world today, Jesus is speaking to you and to me, as if it were you and I alone in this vast world.

If we have but a spark of hope, if we say yes in our heart, Jesus will ignite that spark to a flame of love. He will heal our doubt and we will begin to “walk by faith and not by sight”.

It is through that faith that we truly see the world as it is. We become aware of the needs of those around us, especially in those who need those healing waters.

We realize we have gifts and resources we can share to people losing hope. We become a people of hearing and of acting upon God’s charitable words, “Whatever you do for the least of my brethren, that you do unto me”.

Jesus never touched that crippled man at the pool that day, the man who lost hope. He just said, “rise, take up your mat and walk”.

Through our charitable acts, We, too, can be the one who is instrumental in helping another of God’s children walk away from hopelessness.

We can do all things through faith, which brings us hope to enable us to love those in need. Saint Leo the Great once said, “If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined”.

Corporal works of mercy, charity, sharing our talents, and walking in this world the way Jesus walked on this earth builds upon our foundation of faith hope and charity.

Purity of mind and deed, living our lives truly desiring to be a saint will inspire us to be the working miracle, and a possible cure for depression and hopelessness in others.  Bringing those to the waters to be healed.

And our hearts will cry with love when we can say the same words that Jesus said to the man he healed after seeing him sometime later.

 “Look you are well”. It is our faith and our love for God and neighbor that really has the healing power by lifting our prayer to God.

There is an old proverb that says, “Where There is Hope There is Faith Where There is Faith Miracles Happen”

  

Beware of the wolf

 

There is a verse in the Gospel of John that Jesus directs to the Pharisees. He tells them, “you belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. “

 And Jesus continues by telling them that the devil was a murderer from the beginning and when the devil tells a lie he speaks in character because he is a liar and the father of lies.

 We live in a world today that is comprised of truths and also full of lies. And for many it becomes a battle, a spiritual battle decerning what is truth and what is false. Many have surrendered, believing in the lies of the world.

 The devil has many earthly laborers disguised as spiritual in character, claiming false truths and yet denying the foundation of our Christian moral beliefs. The devil has friends in high places of authority.

 And the devil and his army, as Jesus himself as said, “those dressed in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves”, are winning the battles of this world. But we know who wins in the end.

 So, the warfare continues and we who are reading this know that we are children of God and we continue to overcome the devil, because as John tells us in his letter, “because greater is He who is in you than he who is the world.

 Go into your inner room and speak face to face to the one who died for our sins; one who loves us and shepherds us away from the worldly pleasures and false beliefs of our times.

 Yes, go into your inner room and close the door, resting under his wings, not fearing those whose voice is strong, but whose gospel is false. Jesus is our strength who fights each battle with us.

 Jesus, we are here, right now, in your home. Listen to our petitions and guide us and our country to feel your loving presence, free our nation and the many people from the hold of Satan. Give us peace.

Amen

 

Genuine Love

Paul, the apostle is synonymous with two words, love and the cross. Two words that are inseparable and to coin a phrase, “You can’t have one without the other”.  St. Thomas Aquinas has a wonderful perspective as to what an example of love is. Of true love he said, “No greater Love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends. Such a man was Christ on the Cross”.

Yes, genuine love is love that is pure, that does not seek its own interests, but has only one purpose; to give joy to the person who is loved. And it was St. Paul who knew and believed in the kind of love Jesus wants the world to practice. It is the kind of love that can inspire, and transform others like Jesus did.

It is the kind of love that says “your love is so great, I will proudly imitate your love that you have for the world”. There is joy that comes with true love and Jesus, opening the gates of heaven, forgiving us of every sin we have and will commit, gave us that joy. It is truly love and it is truly the Cross.

Jesus fulfilled that earth-shattering purpose when he felt the piercing pain of every whip and every nail for the love of you and me.

He was not weak, but He knows our weaknesses, our failings, our intentions and yet he asks us one question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink”?

The thought of any pain or suffering makes us cringe, a normal human reaction. But there are many times in our lives we experience unplanned setbacks, fatigue, illnesses that can cause us great suffering or discomfort.

It’s how we accept that pain and suffering and how we use it for the sake of others that shows our shining light.  That is returning Jesus’ love back to him, accepting our Cross for the love of Jesus.

Jesus tells us “whoever does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me”.

But with that cross we carry, comes the love of our creator, “I have loved you with an everlasting love”

 

 

It is a moment cherished

We wrestle so often with our inner self. And many times, creating our own storms. Another storm, another valley, another wrong turn. Who to turn to?

The Apostles knew that when the storms of life weighed heavy on their hearts, they called on Jesus.

A moment alone with God, away from the world, brings inner peace, quiets our mind, and surrounds us with a great calm. A moment cherished once is a moment we will seek again. The storms will come, but when we allow those storms to be calmed by the one who walks on water, then there is peace.

That inner restlessness is a human condition where we need God to calm the seas.

St. Augustine puts it so well, “Our hearts were made for Thee, O God, and they will be restless until they rest in you”.

Let God take over and “be still and know that He is God”

Famous Last Words

“One never knows the ending. One has to die to know exactly what happens after death, although Catholics have their hopes.” They were the last words spoken by Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense. Although he was taught by Jesuits, his life took a different road. But, he knew we had hope.

There have been many recorded last words of people, some famous, some criminals just before their execution, of actors, and of course of saints. Some you can believe, while others are doubtful that’s what they really said.

Winston Churchill apparently is reported as saying, ““I’m bored with it all”, just before he took his last breath.  St. Thomas Moore said, “I die the King’s servant, but God’s first”.

But, the one that should make us reflect on my own lives is from St. Teresa of Ávila. She said, “After all I die as a child of the Church.

My Lord, it is time to move on. Well then, may Your will be done. O my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time for us to meet one another.”

Can you imagine being that certain, having that much love for our Lord, facing death with joy. Knowing that what you are about to enter is greater than any pleasure on this earth. And St. Paul rightly tells us, “death where is your sting”.

And yet, the most assuring words of a person leaving us is in the Gospel.  The last recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, “I am with you always, until the end of the age”. What could be more comforting?  

Are these not the most encouraging words you could ever hear? A companion every step of the way, one stronger than you, one who won’t allow you to get lost, who forgives so easily.  

It just makes life worth living, knowing the creator of the entire universe is your best friend.

And if we truly believe that Jesus walks every step with us, guiding us on our journey, then with that trust, there is no room for fear. Our eyes, our focus must be on heaven and our hopes in seeing our Lord face to face.  

In that Gospel we see the last appearance of Jesus as he is Ascended into heaven. I can only imagine that the short time, those 40 days that Jesus was with his apostles after his Resurrection, flew by so quickly for the them.

And as he disappeared from this earth, their eyes were raised to heaven, to dwell where Jesus has gone before them and us.

And their joy was to be made complete. For it was that promise that Jesus gave them and to us at the Last Supper, “I will go and prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself; that where I am you also may be.

They are the words that give us the hope, the words that St. Teresa knew in her heart would be true. They are the very words that must grow in strength in our own hearts, for he is with us always until the end of the age”

They believed in that promise, and the promise that I will not leave you orphans, but will send you an Advocate. Yes, there is always sadness when we say good-by to someone we love, but on that day, there was hope and there was joy.

The Ascension is a feast of joyful hope, a sweet foretaste of heaven. And by going before us, Jesus has giving us the right to follow him there some day.

Jesus leaves us not as orphans, but as a brother, who will look after us with love.

He has assured us that he had conquered death and he will come back for those who love him.

That he has commissioned us, to make disciples of the whole world, preach his good news.  That with the strength and grace of the Holy Spirit, this can be done.

That we won’t shy away from spreading his Gospel out of fear of offending someone, or fear that people may think we have lost touch with world. Or we have not changed with the times.

And most importantly, his promise to us, his very last words in the Gospel of Matthew, “I am with you always, until the end of the age”

Imagine, you are standing there with the disciples and Jesus is in your midst. He is in his glory. And you begin to feel his power, and this strange sensation of internal joy fills your heart.

And as he rises beyond the clouds, you know there is no other place you would rather be, than to follow your Savior into heaven.

So, our hearts are always looking upward, storing our treasures in heaven. Yes, we are helping Jesus in preparing a place for us.

Each day brings us closer, and each day is a day to focus on how we can find the light of Christ. Yes, we lift-up our prayers to heaven praying that we too will be lifted up to heaven someday.

Our Churches are open providing us with the nourishment we need in the Blessed Sacrament for our journey.

We need our place to pray again, to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord, to celebrate the Passion, death and the Resurrection of Jesus.  

Let us pray that “Oh, Jesus, who entered into heaven, grant that I too may live there in spirit. For I trust in your Words, in your power, in your forgiveness, in your love.

But, most of all Jesus, although I struggle, I know I have a friend in you, for I believe that you are with me always, even to the end of the age.

This day is a gift

This is truly a great day to be thankful, for we are blessed. It’s a great day to reflect on where we’ve been and where we hope to live for eternity. It’s just a great day to begin to really believe that God is in charge, and we must be prepared. And that we know from Scripture!

Scripture fulfills what the prophets have said, and our Lord many times in the Gospels speaks of His second coming. But he says that various signs would mark the beginning of this event. Signs such as famine, pestilence and natural disasters. False prophets who claim to be the Messiah will deceive and mislead the people.

Nations will wage war against each other. The Church will endure persecution. Worse yet, the faith of many will grow cold and many will abandon their faith, even betraying and hating one another, even those within the family.

And then, our Lord will come suddenly. "The Son of Man in His day will be like the lightening that flashes from one end of the sky to the other" (Lk 17:24).

St. Peter predicts, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief and on that day the heavens will vanish with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and all its deeds will be made manifest" (2 Pt 3:10).

And Jesus himself tells us today, “I will come like the thief in the night”

It is on that very night we will meet our just Judge. Jesus said, "Those who have done right shall rise to life; the evildoers shall rise to be damned" (Jn 5:29).

He tells us, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, escorted by all the angels of heaven, He will sit upon His royal throne and all the nations will be assembled before Him. Then He will separate them into two groups, as a shepherd separated sheep from goats" (Mt 25:31-32).

It is the moment of truth, the moment we should be prepared for, the moment that many will dread, and yet others will feel blessed that it has arrived. It is the very moment we account for our earthly conduct and the deepest secrets of our soul are revealed.

Those who have rejected the Lord in this life, who have shown no remorse for sin and have not seeked forgiveness, will have condemned themselves to hell for all eternity.

Those who do not take Scripture seriously, and live in a world that pleases themselves are the goats, are the weeds, who will not live in Paradise. 

The souls of the righteous, those who are blessed, will enter heavenly glory and enjoy the beatific vision and those who need purification will undergo it.

But, for today we are here, enjoying another beautiful gift from God. Yes, this day is a gift to be used wisely. How we choose to use this gift is up to us. For we have another God given gift, our free will to decide.

There is one way to use this gift of another day and that is to reflect on Jesus’ powerful words. “But know this, if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” Make this a day you won’t regret.

Breakfast is cooking

I always said, that when I get old, I’m going to be a good fisherman. Well, I got the first part down, working on the second. How many can remember the very first fish you ever caught? For me, fish tails I have plenty. But, the first fish I ever caught taught me a valuable lesson on how to hook a fish.

My uncle, who was like my older brother, was an avid fisherman, and couldn’t wait to take me fishing. He surprised me with a fishing rod for Christmas when I was only five years old. And from Christmas until early spring he would explain what I had to do when I hooked a fish. He would reiterate over and over again, let it nibble on the bait, let it taste it, but when the bobber goes down, pull like your life depended on it.

The day came, early spring and we went to Churchville reservoir in Bucks County, parked the car, climbed down the embankment to the lake and fishing I went.

After he cast out the line, I watched that bobber every minute afraid to blink in case it would disappear before my eyes. Then it happened, a nibble, the bobber was moving sideways, it started to sink and then the bobber went completely underwater and I heard my uncle shout “pull”. I did and I pulled so hard the small sun fish, came up out of the water, over my head, over the embankment and landed somewhere onto the road above.

As I was reeling in the slack and climbing up the hill as quickly as I could, I saw the poor little fish kind of laying in the middle of the road, flopping up and down. And then fear. A car was quickly approaching and I could only think of the worse for my first fish. So, again, I fiercely pulled on the line and the fish went flying again, off the road, over my head, off the hook and back into the water. I guess I didn’t hook him well enough.

What a difference between me pulling on my line one tiny fish and the apostles pulling on their nets and barely able to bring in their large catch. The difference is in the number of fish.

One hundred and fifty three fish they netted. Some people are curious as to why John specified the number of fish in the catch. Why 153? There have been many symbolic interpretations, all pointing to the variety, size and full nature of Jesus’ call. St. Jerome has mentioned that there were about 153 different species of fish in the days of Jesus, and symbolically represents the gathering in of people of all the nations of the world.

And the nets!  despite the size of the catch, they didn’t break or tear. Could this too be symbolic? That regardless of the number of followers, and their roots that the Church would remain intact?

Regardless of how competent they were at fishing, the apostles were lost, their best friend has left them, they felt abandoned, so they resorted to what they knew best – fishing. But their lives were about to change. The empty feeling was about to be filled with hope. No longer would they be fishers of the sea, but to would be fishers of men. God’s plan at work.

Jesus was to meet them at the shoreline, cooking breakfast for the apostles. And with that meal, our Church was forming. Because on this day, the most powerful words of Jesus to Peter “Do you love me”. Three times the bait was cast and Peter nibbled and finally was hooked. Peter cries out “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you”. The Church has its shepherd

We like Peter have failed many times in our lives, and yet, Jesus still calls out to us, “Do you love me”. Have we failed like Peter, because of lack of courage, or self-centeredness, by putting our own interest ahead of God’s interest? But there is a Peter in all of us.

How often is Jesus holding the bait until we are hooked, and how often do we nibble. Or like some fish, we don’t like the taste of the bait and swim away. Or are we aware that when we are hooked, our lives will change and we don’t want to change.

But it is those who are hooked who can say “You know that I love you”. Yes, reel me in to the shore line to have a breakfast with you.

But saying yes to Jesus brought with it a task for Peter, the apostles and for us, “If you love me, then feed my sheep”. It is the task of living a life most pleasing to Jesus, nurturing our faith and feeding the lambs of Jesus’ flock.  We say yes and Jesus says, I am with you always.

Listen, “Come have breakfast”. He’s calling us to join him, and he’s calling us by name. God has giving us some food to nibble on, a question, a spiritual call, “Do you love me”. Our heart is ready, we come to believe that he is the way, the truth and the life. “Yes Jesus”, we say.  “then follow me and feed my sheep”.