24th Sunday Ordinary Time - "Taking Up Our Cross" - Mark 8:27-35

Every time I hear or read this passage of Mark’s Gospel I am reminded of the Flip Wilson Show character, Geraldine.  Geraldine was always being tempted by the devil into doing things that were bad for her.  In one particular episode Geraldine was shopping.  She spotted a very fine dress with a very high price tag. 

The devil said to her, “That’s a very nice looking dress.”

And Geraldine replied, “But, its’ too expensive.”

The devil said, “Killa (her boyfriend) would like you in that dress, go ahead - try it on.”

Geraldine replied, “Yeah, Killa likes me looking good, but the dress is still too expensive.”

The devil said, “You deserve a nice dress like that – you look good in red.”

Geraldine answered, “Devil, you are tempting me bad – Get behind me Satan! – and tell me just how fine this dress looks from the back.”

Jesus admonishes Peter with these same words, “Get behind me, Satan.  You are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do.” 

Is this not the challenge for human beings – to think as God thinks while we struggle through this secular world? 

Is it possible – to live in this world and think as God does?

Each day we are challenged to think like God; in our families, in our workplace, in our politics, in our social relationships.  The secular world expects us to conform our faith and our beliefs to its expectations – often requiring and sometimes even legislating us to blot out God; keeping Him from our daily lives.

With such obstacles always before us, it is a great challenge to think like God in the everyday.  How do we reconcile the world’s expectations with our own Christian identity as we juggle family obligations, work and social pressures?

We do so by remembering the two greatest commandments: “Love God above all else and love one another as we would love ourselves”.  Living this way is to live as a disciple of Christ, -- to wear the name Christian; -- to live in this world, but to be from above; conducting our lives true to the Word of God; removing ourselves from secular world’s measures; viewing the world with God’s eyes -- by His measures.  Using the Word of God as the measure by which we live and make decisions; taking up our Cross, not as a burden of sorrows and sins, but as a banner of triumph and truth.

Jesus tells his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.”

When we shoulder our cross – we stand tall – recognized as Christians, believers in the Word of God; -- standard bearers of God’s truth in the world. 

• In His Word we find truth – as we pray, study and meditate on Christ’s teachings, His truth and His wisdom is revealed to us.
• We see His truth in respect for all life – from conception to natural death – That each of us receives life as a precious gift from God.
• We see His truth in the dignity of all mankind – we see each person as equal; a child of God who deserves the same love, respect and opportunities to life we each desire.
• We see His truth in our oneness as a human family – we see everyone - everywhere as our brother and sister – that when one suffers we all suffer -- our local actions have global consequences; making us responsible for each other.
• We see His truth in our treatment of the poor – that those with the least must have a share in God’s bounty.
• We see His truth in His love for us and in His command to love one another – love, like God, is our alpha and omega.

There is great struggle and responsibility in living truly as disciples of Christ – bearing the cross of Christ; wearing the name Christian.  We have many forces working against us each and every day.  As disciples we are called to think, speak and act in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ – bringing His Word of salvation to the world.

• As disciples we know we can rely on God’s grace to give us strength and courage to stand up to evil and work for good.
• As Christians, we stand together with Christ, against those who would diminish us; working to remove God from our lives. 
• As believers in the Word made flesh, we resist the work of the evil-one who uses cunning and violence under the guise of worldliness and necessity to enrich themselves and oppress others.
• As brothers and sisters of Christ, children of God, we are stewards of this world – reaping what we sow, -- let us sow the seeds of love, good will and peace; replacing the weeds of hate, malice and discord.

Let us be recognized as Christians by our lives in Christ Jesus.  Let our eyes be filled with the Truth and glory of God as we look to a life everlasting in His heavenly kingdom.  Let us put Satan and all his distractions behind us; -- taking up our cross, walking with Christ, losing our lives to this world, so we may gain salvation and life eternal in the glory of God’s Kingdom. ~Amen

Peace,

Deacon Don

"Quality Time - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

We may well ask ourselves why the disciples did not follow the traditions of the Pharisees, after all they too were Jews raised in the practices of Judaism.  Did they stop following the traditional rituals when they became disciples of Jesus?  Were they rebelling against their traditional rituals because of Jesus’ teachings?

The short answer is - no.  

Jesus’s followers did not follow the rituals as did the Pharisees because of the lives they led.  They were not in the habit of washing before meals or ritually cleaning their cups, bowls and vessels because these practices were not practical to their life style.  As laborers, fishermen, carpenters or outcast sinners like tax collectors, these ritual practices were not realistic in their everyday world.  

Where would these common working folk find clean water to wash or clean cups while fishing in the sea or working in the fields?  As public sinners, why would tax collectors or anyone from any other ‘sinful’ profession, practice these rituals of holiness– what would be the point? As far as the Pharisees were concerned – these sinners could never be acceptable to God?

So, the Pharisee’s criticism against the disciples was really a criticism against Jesus for not gathering the righteous as His followers. Pharisees, who through their privileged lives, were able to follow the rules of righteousness: Rules of holy practice, where they had the time do follow the rituals and impress one another with their elaborate outward signs of holiness. These were just too impractical for the common person to follow.  

The faith rituals of the Pharisee’s were only for those whose life styles afforded them the time to practice.  To them, God’s love was not for the common man, the lowly, the poor, the working class because those people, made unclean by their lifestyles of labor, were unable to follow the rules. Therefore, these disciples of Jesus could not be considered righteous enough to follow a true prophet.

The Pharisees lost sight of the real purpose behind their devotion to God.  They allowed following the rules to replace true faith in and worship of God.  For them it was easier to perform outward signs of holiness than to be filled with the Spirit of God.  Their rituals replaced turning to their Creator in prayer and contemplation to love and praise Him for all He had done for them.  Their outward signs of ritual served only to show others their faith; replacing their inner devotion to God.

In our own lives, do we take time to examine our faith practices?  Do we ask ourselves if our faith practices and rituals lead us into an ever closer relationship with God?  Do we renew and refresh our faith devotions, so they lead us into a deeper and ever more fruitful relationship with our Lord?

One of my pet peeves in my daily travels to Newark is seeing young people wearing the Rosary around their necks, like jewelry.  I like to delude myself that the Arch-Diocese is having a resurgence in vocations or their new evangelizing efforts are truly amazing, but sadly I come to realize it is just a cool thing, an accessorizing thing, among the young.  I’m often tempted to ask them if they pray that Rosary.  (This may be a good starting point for evangelizing.)

In our lives, when we say the Rosary, do we sometimes rush through the prayers to ‘get-'er-done' or do we make the time to really contemplate on the mysteries?  

• Do we carry a Rosary because it’s what Catholics do or do we take the time to say the prayers; allowing them to lead us into a deeper communion with Jesus in our devotion and supplications through Mary, His Mother?
• Do we make the sign of the cross as we pass in front of a Catholic Church?  If we practice this devotion, is it merely a rote reaction or do we take that moment to remind ourselves of our Lord’s loving sacrifice on the cross and His presence in the Tabernacle?
• When we pray, do we focus on speaking and listening to the Lord or do our thoughts wander to other things?  

Now, just to be perfectly clear - I must confess that this is auto-biographical - I struggle with each of these and more.

I know, we are not nuns living in cloister or monks dedicated to a life of work and prayer within the walls of our monastery – we are living in the world, as is our station in life.  Our lives are our vocation: To live in the world, but to not be part of the world.  To live out this vocation we are called to keep our mind and our heart on God, our Creator and our Savior, Jesus and the Holy Spirit through our devotions and practices.  We do these things so they may lead us into a closer relationship with God.

We all have our work, our families and friends, our interests and activities that constantly demand our attention; calling us away, but we are also called to make room for the Lord in our lives.  Our devotions should always remind us to take that moment to open our hearts to God’s love and spend time with Him, who loves us and is always calling us to return to His embrace.

So, no matter what our station in life or how much time we devote to our Lord, no matter what devotional habits we may practice – do them with sincerity of heart and openness to God.  Be in awe of God’s love.  Spend that moment, that devotional hour, those precious minutes set aside for prayer or whatever other ‘Catholic-thing’ we do - as quality time with the Lord.  Let that time, even if it’s just a quick moment, be fruitful.  Let Him gaze upon you as you contemplate Him and allow His love to penetrate your heart. ~Amen

Peace,
Deacon Don

20th Sunday Ordinary Time - John 6:51-58 - "The Goodness of the Lord"

“Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

How do we contemplate on the manna, the bread provided by God for the people in the desert and the Bread of Life found in Jesus Christ?

Manna filled the people’s bodily needs, but did not satisfy their spiritual want.  This bread provided by God for the people came down in response to their complaining of hunger, but was not the bread of salvation.  This was not the Bread of Everlasting Life.  For they ate it, but were still hungry the next day and still died in their time.

While their bellies were filled each day, the manna did not satisfy their spiritual hunger, it did not advance them in the ways of understanding.  Manna was not bread prepared by Wisdom.  Despite all God had done for the people in delivering them from slavery and hardship in Egypt, they still complained against Him.  In their foolishness, they failed to understand the will of God and His great love for them.  Despite all they had witnessed of God’s power and protection; delivering them from the hands of Pharaoh, they persisted in their complaints and grumbling; failing to give thanks to God for all they received.

Manna was not the bread of salvation.  It was not the bread of everlasting life.  Taking this bread into them did not given them more than immediate; fleeting satisfaction.  Each day they had to gather up what God provided and remained foolish, not making the most of the opportunity to understand.

“Whoever eats this bread and drinks this blood has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day.”

Jesus is”  

"(This) . . . is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever."

Jesus is the one who satisfies our hunger and thirst – He is real food and real drink.  Taking in His flesh and drinking His blood brings us eternal life and understanding of the Truth of God.  He is the table prepared by Wisdom, so we may partake and advance in understanding.

Jesus gave us the Eucharist as a reminder to give Thanksgiving to God for all He has done for us and to remember Him: His life, death and resurrection – that brings us salvation and everlasting life.  Eating the body and blood of Jesus is much more than consuming the Eucharist at mass.  Jesus wants us to remember not just what was, but what is: – our newness of life, our life changed forever – our life given to us in baptism, sealed in the Holy Spirit and strengthened in the Eucharist when we take on Christ - Body and Blood, His Soul and Divinity.  

The full understanding of taking the Bread of Life within ourselves, I believe is best summed up by the Apostle Paul when he declared, 

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ (who) lives in me; and the life which I now live - in the flesh - I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Our vocation as believers in Jesus Christ is to live in the fullness of all He teaches, imitating His life within our station – loving as we are loved all our brothers and sisters.  We are baptized to live in this world as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, but not to be of this world - the dominion of the evil-one.  We surrender our lives to Jesus in the Eucharist – taking within ourselves the fullness of His life, death and resurrection: guided by the Spirit; living as He lived – with love, mercy and compassion for all our heavenly Father’s children.  

For Jesus is the Bread of Everlasting Life, food: unlike the manna in the desert that was sufficient only for the day.  He is that everlasting food that satisfies our every need; giving us eternal peace, joy, love and life that leads us home - into the heavenly kingdom, where He lives and reigns with the Father and Holy Spirit – One God forever and ever. ~Amen
Peace,
Deacon Don

19th Sunday Ordinary Time - John 6:41-51 - "Feasting on the Bread of Life"

Jesus proclaims, “I am the Bread of Life.”  
”I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

What is this teaching?  What is Jesus saying to us? 

As God fed the Jews in the desert with manna, the ‘bread of angels’, to sustain them on their journey to the promise land, we too are fed by Jesus, the Bread of Life, on our journey toward the heavenly kingdom.  But how are we fed?  How do we ‘eat the flesh’ of Christ?  How do we consume Jesus, taking Him within ourselves, so we may have life?

Of course, we have the Eucharist.  We have the bread and wine consecrated in the sacrifice of the mass, established by Jesus at the Last Supper.  Bread and wine transubstantiated – miraculously changed – becoming His Body and Blood – Soul and Divinity.  The Bread we eat, the flesh of Christ, given for the life of the world.

There is more to our understanding though.  The scholars of Israel saw the Torah, the Law given to them by God, as being bread of heaven.  They consumed this “bread” through study and adherence to the Law of God.  Many of the prophets described their study of God’s Law as ‘eating the scrolls’ upon which God’s Law was written.  The Jewish people understood that this was the only way to God – faithful learning and practice of the Law.  So, the idea of consuming God’s word – eating the bread of God - was already an established concept in the time of Jesus. 

Jesus is the Word of God, the Bread come down from heaven.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  We can only come to the Father through Him, who is the Truth of God that leads to eternal Life.  Through Him we come to know God’s love and mercy.  In the giving of his flesh on the cross we have salvation; leading to eternal life.

But how does this Bread of Life act on my life?  
How am I changed when I eat the Bread of Life, the flesh of Jesus Christ?  
What did the Lord mean when He told Elijah to get up and eat the cake He gave him, ‘else the journey will be too long for him’?  
How do we understand the Lord when He said, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God?’

When we receive the Bread of Life, Jesus in the Eucharist, we are called to put on Christ, to surrender to the Holy Spirit and allow God to dwell within us.  We are called to be changed.  We are called to enter into a closer relationship with Jesus; living fully in God’s image and likeness.

To enter into this closer relationship with Jesus: to become His disciple, is to be like the prophets ‘eating the scrolls’.  It is to live more fully in the Lord Jesus as His disciples.  To be His disciple be His follower; bringing His Good News to the world, living as He lived, and loving as He loves.  Discipleship is learning to be like Jesus – watching Him, listening to Him, sharing with Him, imitating Him: entering fully into His life.  Coming into a close, personal relationship with Jesus; calling Him our Lord and Savior.

As with all relationships, we get out of them what we put into them.  If they are casual and occasional relationships, they cannot be called really close and personal – they are more of a nodding acquaintanceship rather than a true relationship.  But if our relationships are filled with interest in and intimate knowledge of the other: marked by daily encounters and intimacy, they become intense and personal: loving, caring and enduring - very much like the relationship Jesus desires to have with each one of us.  

We grow our relationship with Jesus through a lifetime of prayer, reading scripture (to know scripture is to know Christ) and Eucharist, which brings us ever closer to Him.  Our relationship becomes a comfortable friendship, like the relationship God had with Adam and Eve in the Garden before the fall.  As we speak with Jesus, listen to Jesus and be present with Him, we move into this ever closer personal relationship with Him.  

In this way we receive Jesus in the fullest – feasting on the Bread of Life – the food that fills us and satisfies our hunger for the holy.  He is the One who provides for us and the whole world, so we may have enough to eat, “else the journey will be too long” for us as we move toward eternal life. ~Amen

Peace,
Deacon Don

18th Sunday Ordinary Time - John 6:24-35 - 'Food for Life'

We are a fickle people.  In this we must be truly amazed at God’s faithfulness and His love for us.

We hear of the Israelites complaining to Moses and Aaron that their new life of liberation was too hard for them.  In slavery they were given food to eat and places to rest – no matter how poor and despicable.  In their short and convenient memory, living in slavery was not so bad compared to their present lives of living in God’s promise of a land of their own and freedom from captivity.  Despite all they witnessed of what God has done for them, they cry out against Him; lacking in faith and trust in His word of promise.
Their immediate comforts take precedence over God’s promise.  The growling in their empty bellies and their parched throats are enough for them to desire a return to their miserable life in slavery over God’s promised gift of freedom.  The expediency of immediate gratification surpasses the sacrifice needed for true liberation and a new life of eternal joy and peace.

During their captivity in Egypt, the people cried out to God to set them free from bondage.  They cried for release from the hardship of their desperate lives, so they may have a new life – a life of peace and prosperity; living in a land of milk and honey.  
While bearing their yoke of enslavement, they prayed to God to hear and answer their cries for mercy.  They swore faithfulness to the God of their fathers, the God who promised to set them free.    For all their years in slavery, they held true to their faith in God as their hope for freedom and a new life.

God calls us all, His children, to this new life.  This new life is not our old life without the things that are bothersome or troubling.  No, this is not our old life with a do-over.  This call to new life is a radical departure from the old ways in which we live.  By our baptism we are called to put on this new life in Christ Jesus.  H calls us away from who we were to become who we really are – children of God - a new creation – “renewed in the spirit of our (your) minds and putting (put) on a (the) new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” 

John’s Gospel, tells us of how the people followed after Jesus because he fed them.  Their immediate need for nourishment were met and they worried about receiving their next meal – such is life.  They worried about this life and this world, not knowing or understanding the truth of Jesus.  Still thinking about filling their bellies, they ask Jesus what they must do to get their next meal.  

He tells them that they are to seek the food that will bring them eternal life.  Food, not sufficient for the day, but lasting food for all eternity – belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom the Father has sent into the world.

It is Jesus who is this food of everlasting life, the bread that comes down from heaven.  Jesus is the food the Father sends His children, in His love and faithfulness, to nourish them and fill them.  Belief in the Father through His Son, Jesus brings us to our new life.  Jesus Christ is the One who brings us new life in His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity; sustaining and renewing us, so we may never be hungry: never be thirsty again – Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life Eternal.  ~ Amen.
Peace,
Deacon Don

15th Sunday Ordinary Time - Mark 6: 7-13 - "Blessed and Sent"

Today we hear of the prophet Amos, a messenger sent by God to warn the people of Israel to turn away from their corrupt ways.  At this time the land of Israel was divided into two kingdoms, Judah in the south and Israel in the north.  While Judah was poor and humble, Israel was rich and powerful.  With their vast wealth and power came corruption and wanton living.  In their social depravity they worshipped many gods of their own making, turning away from the Law of the One True God.

The people of Israel lived in a land of plenty; sharing its bounty only among the rich and powerful.  They built temples to their own gods and created festivals and feasts to celebrate those things they held in high esteem – wealth and pleasure, fortified by sacrilegious practices.  They exploited the poor and sold them into slavery.  They created unjust laws that benefited their luxuriant ways of life, betraying the innocent and powerless; having no pity on the lowly, especially those who without a voice.

Into this land of Israel the Lord sent His servant Amos.  Now, Amos was a simple man, a commoner who tended sheep and dressed sycamores (someone who, with a sharp stick, pierces the hard shell surrounding the small fig-like fruit of the sycamore tree, so they will ripen).  Amos was not a scholar of the Law or an experienced teacher, but he was a just man: faithful and obedient servant of the Lord.  

Amos came to the king of Israel’s high priest, Amaziah, to warn the king and the people to turn away from their corrupt ways and unacceptable practices.  He admonished them for their injustices to the poor and marginalized and their worship practices that were offensive to God.

For Amos’ preaching to the people to turn back to God and to, “. . . let justice flow like water and integrity like an unfailing stream.” Amaziah accuses Amos of plotting against the king and of being a prophet in the pay of one of the king’s enemies.  He denounces Amos; ordering him to leave the land of Israel, to go prophesy in his own land of Judah and cease haranguing the people of Israel.  

Amos counters Amaziah’s accusations and command to leave, telling him that he is a just and simple man, a humble servant of the Lord and that it was God himself who sent Amos to Israel, saying, “Go, prophesy to my people, Israel.”

Just as God sent Amos to the people of Israel, Jesus sends his disciples to preach among the people.  He sends them out two by two, on their first foray into a hostile world; warning them to take nothing extra, no food, no sack, no money – no second tunic, but only a walking stick and sandals on their feet.  They are to accept the hospitality of those who welcome them and shake the dust off their feet against those who will not accept their message of repentance of their sins.  

In doing so, Jesus echoes the encounter of Amos in the land of Israel.  His disciples are to be God’s messengers, simple and humble.  They are to have no attachments or burdens; relying solely upon God’s mercy for all their needs - for He will provide, as they go about preaching His word of repentance, healing the sick and casting out demons in His name.  

"For they are blessed by God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who has blessed them in Christwith every spiritual blessing in the heavens,as he chose them in him, before the foundation of the world,to be holy and without blemish before him." 

We too have our commission and blessing from God, as his chosen ones: To make known His love for all His children and His gift of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.   We are to rely on God’s love and mercy; taking nothing with us except His Word and the love with which we are loved, as we go about bringing His Good News to all the world.

God chooses the weak things of the world to humble the mighty in making his kingdom known.  We each, as disciples of our Lord, Jesus, are blessed and sent, like Amos and the ‘Twelve’, to “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” We are called to speak the Word of God in faith and truth, with simplicity and humbleness of heart, His message of repentance of sins and His gift of salvation through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, we are called to speak out God’s Word in a hard-hearted and sinful world, as did Amos, the ‘Twelve’ and all God’s messengers throughout the ages.  We faithful disciples of the Lord are called and blessed by God to speak His Truth, His Love and His desire for all His people so they may cling to Him in this world, and so they may take their rightful place in His kingdom of peace and everlasting life. ~ Amen

Peace,

Deacon Don

14th Sunday Ordinary Time - Mark 6:1-6 - "I am with you always"

“Do not be afraid!”

“Trust in the Lord!”

“Take heart! I have overcome the world”

These are trying times, especially for Christians.  It is never easy bringing the Word of God to the world.  The evil-one works hard to cloud people’s minds; preventing them from hearing the Truth, seeing the Way and gaining the Life of God’s promise to those who love Him.

We hear today of the challenges facing those who bring the Good News to the people; doing the good works of God and speaking God’s message of love and salvation for His children

God tells Ezekiel that he is sending him to prophecy among those who have rebelled against Him.  The “Hard of face and obstinate of heart. . .”  These are the ones who have completely rejected all that God has done for them. They have chosen to follow and worship gods of their own desires.  God tells Ezekiel that whether they heed him or not, they are to know, by his presence, in the power and truth of God’s message: that a prophet, a messenger from God, has been among them.

Now, being a prophet of God was a challenging task, especially when God tells you that He is sending you among those who are set against Him.  What we do not get in today’s reading is what God tells Ezekiel in the next line:

“But as for you, son of man, fear neither them nor their words when they contradict you and when you sit on scorpions.  Neither fear their words nor dismay at their looks for they are a rebellious house.”

“When you sit on scorpions . . .” Wow!  Fear not! Trust in the Lord! 
God takes care of His children, his chosen ones – those who speak His Truth even when they fall among the scorpions in a rebellious world.  Trust in God and be not afraid to speak the Truth even when we know the words we speak in His name will be despised, scorned and rejected.  If we love the Lord, we cannot do otherwise, but speak His Truth.

Paul cries, “. . . a thorn in the flesh was given me and an angel of Satan, to beat me . . .” begging God to relieve him of these afflictions, as he was bringing Christ to the people.  

Even this great Apostle to the Gentiles was afflicted with trials and challenges while doing the work of the Lord.  An easy pathway of discipleship is not promised to God’s chosen ones.  His grace and love is our only consolation in this world, giving us the courage and power to endure all things.

Paul was challenged by false prophets who sought to usurp and corrupt the Word of God to their own purposes, to their ways in the world.  They tried to discredit Paul and sway people to turn away from his message of God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ.  Paul’s lament points the people to Jesus and away from himself.  It is in bringing the Truth of Jesus that gives Paul his strength, enabling him to endure all hardship, insults and persecutions, “for the sake of Christ.”

Even those who should have loved Jesus best, family, friends and hometown villagers, turned their back on him, questioning his word and the things that he had done, ‘healing the sick, raising the dead, giving sight to the blind and curing the deaf and the lame’.  Among his own people he was not able to do any of these things, except for a curing a few sick people – most likely visitors from out of town.

His own people failed to see the Truth of Jesus’ words.  They were blinded by their preconceptions of the Jesus whom they thought they knew so well.  Can you not hear them saying, ‘I know Jesus. I helped his Mother change his nappy!’ or ‘Isn’t that the kid who was always wandering off, worrying his parents to no end?’

• How many of us have had this similar experience among our own family and friends?  
• How many of us have known someone who became famous before they achieved their fame?  What did we say or think about them?

So, even Jesus was challenged to bringing His message of God’s love and salvation to the people.  His message fell on deaf ears and was outright rejected as being too hard to follow.  As Christians, as witnesses of the Truth of God’s love for the world, as evangelizers of the Word of God – Take heart! Be not afraid!

The love of Christ impels us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . .” But, we say, ‘How can we do this - these are challenging times, this is an increasingly hostile world!’  

Not more so than the times faced by Ezekiel or by Paul or by any others who speak God’s Truth to the world. And we have courage in Christ Jesus, who loves us so much that He overcame the world through His death on the cross.  

Jesus has not, nor will he ever, abandon us, for He continues His challenge of evangelizing the world with these words of encouragement and consolation, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”  Amen.

Peace,
Deacon Don