Take a look in the Mirror

86,400 - that is the number of hours  - if you graduated from high school at age 18, went to univeristy and graduated in four years, then went and got a 40 hour a week job, worked 48 weeks, took four weeks’ vacation and retired at age 65 - you will have worked-  86,400 hours by the time you retire.

86,400 - is also the title of Chapter 4 of Perfectly Yourself - the book by Matthew Kelly that we are making our way through as part of our current message series Defining Moments.

Over the last four weekends we have been look at “Defining Moments” – these occasions which bring definition and clarity to our life - which before we did not have. These defining moments are moments brimming with meaning..... Moments of Decision - saying Yes. Moments of Definition - knowing the way. Moments of Determination - deciding to keep at it.

These Defining Moments can be as bright as a Star in the East, or an Angel in the Sky, but most often they are as subtle as an encounter while we are busy in our day, as in the Gospel of today. But Defining moments also have a certain nature to them - We are never called for our own sake, but for the sake of others. Defining Moments come into our life - not solely to affect us! God does not invite us closer to Him simply for ourselves - but as part of His plan that all of us would be united to Him.  Defining Moments also have the danger of containing a certain nonsense to them. To be called does not require perfection on our behalf, only fidelity and holy listening.

In his Book “Perfectly Yourself”, Matthew Kelly, has been inviting us to look at the “Wins and Woes” daily, to keep track of asking Jesus daily “Where Do you Live?” (where are you?) and together we have even written our own little prayer:

Jesus I am looking for you

Jesus I want to see where you live

Jesus I want to come and see every day

A prayer that helps us in the silence of listening for His voice to remember that Character Defines our future, and that what we hold on to, and let go of, both help us to define who we are and whose we are. Ultimately this give us freedom to be Perfectly Yourself, and also to experience defining moments.

So as we keep moving forward, and as our message  reminded us, we have to take a good look in the mirror – who do we resemble (and I don’t mean do we look like George Clooney), but do we look like Jesus in those values? Our Gospel this Lord's Day challenges us to find what we love and do it – rooted always in Him.

See you Sunday!

Now is the Time - a Defining Moment!

 

The underlying message of today’s first reading as well as the Gospel is: “NOW IS THE TIME” for us to be ever vigilant and attentive. God has a perfect plan for each of us which is quite simple. God has created us with the intent of everyone spending eternity with him, so in His perfect time, at His perfect moment, each of us will receive THE MOST important call of our lives: to respond in faith to God, and turn over our lives to Him. The question this weekend is: Will we be prepared for when that moment comes; will we be too distracted to hear the call; and will we respond appropriately? 

Today’s Gospel from Mark presents the model of how we should ready ourselves. Lest we not be too naïve as we read of His encounter with Simon and Andrew, Jesus was not some stranger, entrancing them with a hypnotic message.Implicit within the text, and an example for us, Simon and Andrew certainly had spent some time with Jesus, observing and conversing with Him. They knew him, developed a comfort level and trusted him. 

They must have prayed for discernment, so when the Messiah called, they would be ready to respond, and ready they were! St. Mark doesn’t say they “left” their nets and father, he says they “abandoned” them, i.e. they completely walked away from their former lives and priorities, fully embracing the Gospel call of Jesus to be “fishers of men,” (evangelists), truly an extraordinary and risky thing to do!

Moments matter. We see throughout the Scriptures that God leverages moments to reveal Himself and His will to His people. God speaks to the heroes of Scripture - or comes through at just the right moment - to impart valuable lessons, offer guidance or strengthen their hearts.

Think of Moses and the burning bush, Peter walking on water and the call of Samuel (from last weekend) - think of the Gospel of today - just to name a few. These are defining moments in their lives that God orchestrated to draw them closer to Him.

 

In the Gospel of today, The Lord’s call to the disciples as they were at work on their fishing boat offers an intriguing invitation to us too. The Lord tells the fishermen Simon and Andrew that He would make them “fishers OF people.” I find a great blessing in Jesus’ offer to enter into our lives and to bless and transform what we have and what we do. A sure sign of a Defining Moment. 

Over the last three weekends we have been look at “Defining Moments” – these occasions which bring definition and clarity to our life - which before we did not have. These defining moments are moments brimming with meaning..... Moments of Decision - saying Yes. Moments of Definition - knowing the way. Moments of Determination - deciding to keep at it.

These Defining Moments can be as bright as a Star in the East, or an Angel in the Sky, but most often they are as subtle as an encounter while we are busy in our day, as in the Gospel of today. But Defining moments also have a certain nature to them - We are never called for our own sake, but for the sake of others. Defining Moments come into our life - not solely to affect us! God does not invite us closer to Him simply for ourselves - but as part of His plan that all of us would be united to Him.  Defining Moments also have the danger of containing a certain nonsense to them. To be called does not require perfection on our behalf, only fidelity and holy listening.

In his Book “Perfectly Yourself”, Matthew Kelly, in the first two chapters has been inviting us to look at the “Wins and Woes” daily, to keep track of asking Jesus daily “Where Do you Live?” (where are you?) and together we have even written our own little prayer:

Jesus I am looking for you

Jesus I want to see where you live

Jesus I want to come and see every day

Now in his 3rd Chapter: Looking Into The Future, Kelly asks us an interesting question – “Can You See Into the Future? Now while the question may raise interesting connotations of “Horoscopes” and “Crystal Balls”, the actual reason for his reason has more to do with character than anything else. See Character Defines our future, and what we permit to contribute to our character determines often our next steps. If our character is rooted in things “of the Lord”, then they steer us away from temptation, turmoil and lead us from living life in trepidation.  In the Gospel, Jesus summons Peter and Andrew, James and John away from their walk of life into something deeper. Their willingness to leave what they knew, for what Jesus knew, speaks of their character.   

Putting Character First, is the focus of the Defining Moment of 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:14-20) and it must also be something we ask ourselves about - now is the time - if we are going to be people who experience a Defining Moment:

Defining Moments - Are You Willing to Behold?

We begin Week # 2 of our Message Series "Defining Moments" and the Lord's Day Gospel today is surely one of those for John the Baptist, Andrew, and the other disciples of Jesus. They have an encounter which would change the trajectory of their lives. Let's look for a minute at each of these character and their unique Defining Moment.

Imagine the thousands of followers John the Baptist might have if he was on social media or YouTube today. He was quite a sensation in his time, fascinating followers and critics alike with his powerful message and authentic way of life. Some of his followers may even have tried to imitate him by wearing camel hair and eating locusts and honey. Clearly, though, the people of his time followed him into the desert because they longed for something more in their lives, perhaps like many do today who follow celebrities and lifestyle gurus on YouTube or Twitter. Yet, John the Baptist does not tell his followers what to eat, what to wear, or how to live, but rather, he directs their attention to Jesus. He tells them to “Behold the Lamb of God.”

Behold – an archaic word for us today that means “to look intently, to see fully.” John tells his followers if you want to be like me, then look closely at this man here, Jesus, this man of gentle service to others, the source of all I teach and am. And as the disciples turn to follow Jesus, their lives are changed overnight. They behold Jesus and become beholden, bound with all their hearts and energy to following Him. They accepted Jesus invitation to Come and See.

What did Andrew and the other disciple experience in that encounter with Jesus that afternoon? Did they share a meal, perhaps some stories or some Scripture, and some teaching? Surely there must have been laughter...there must have been communion and understanding. Whatever it was, these first disciples’ response was full and complete. They found what they were looking for and they could not walk away. Their first response is to bring to Jesus those they love, those they know who were also longing for love and connection.

Our lives, too, can be changed and charged with love, power and purpose if we behold Jesus. He asks the disciples, “What are you looking for?” What is it we long for in our lives if not love and connection? We are promised all this when we respond, as Samuel responds in the first reading, “Speak, Lord I am listening.” When we give a little part of our day to encountering Jesus, whether it be in prayer, in reading the gospels, or attending Mass, we, too, will find all that we long for. We also encounter Jesus in the eyes of our sisters and brothers when we serve in love. When we give ourselves to reconciliation and compassion rather than division and rigidity, we behold Jesus. When we give ourselves to serving the least among us, we behold Jesus.

We learned this Lord’s Day that Defining Moments are orchestrated by God as occasions brimming with definition and clarity to our life - which before we did not have. They are Moments of Decision - saying Yes. They are Moments of Definition - knowing the way. They are Moments of Determination - deciding to keep at it. Defining moments are significant and they set a course, a tone, a pattern for the way forward. Defining Moments can be encouraging, Defining Moments can be engaging, but Defining Moments can also be elevating as they draw us ever closer to the plan of God for us.

But Defining moments also have a certain nature to them - We are never called for our own sake, but for the sake of others. Defining Moments come into our life - not solely to affect us! God does not invite us closer to Him simply for ourselves - but as part of His plan that all of us would be united to Him

Defining Moments also have the danger of containing a certain nonsense to them. To be called does not require perfection on our behalf, only fidelity and holy listening. Samuel and the prophets of Israel, the fishermen of Galilee and even the tax collectors that Jesus called were certainly not called because of their qualifications or achievements.  God has called us, loved us, changed us and made us into His image, not because we already are, but because we are imperfect and He wishes to make us His. Since God has called us, we have no choice but to call others to follow Him, out of that same sense of love for them.

What needs to be put into your life so that you are ready to come and see?

Maybe join me in my simple prayer this week

Jesus I am looking for you

Jesus I want to see where you live

Jesus I want to come and see every day

See you Sunday!

Defining Moments - Make Sunday Matter!

We are beginning a New Year with a New Message series called "Defining Moments." God created moments for us where He invites into His larger plan: moments of insight and understanding, moments when He offers a clean break and fresh start, moments of support and encouragement. And often there are moments when He calls us into something more. 

In this series we will look at the moments God uses to impact us and, how we can be open to receive them. We will also use, as a supplementary resource, the Book “Perfectly Yourself” by Matthew Kelly. We are also launching a weekly email called "Make Sunday Matter" and during the first two weeks of this new year we will give a free copy of the Matthew Kelly book to anyone who subscribes to our weekly email which will build upon our message series (see our Cafe after any Mass on the Lord's Day for details). 

The email contains supplementary things, and links to our message podcast, to some reflection questions and even a link to a follow up video. Lots of stuff for you, during the week, to Make Sunday Matter! During our first weekend - over 250 families signed up! Its never too late... so drop in this Lord's Day weekend and be part of the growing movement to Make Sunday Matter!

Here is a wee glimpse............

Even though they had studied the stars their whole life, suddenly they see something completely different from anything they have ever seen before. They see a star that breaks from the usual template or script for what they have previously observed. And this begins a journey that leads the Magi to Jesus. This is often how defining moments come to us. We are going about our normal routine and then something different gets our attention.


In his Book   “Perfectly Yourself”, Matthew Kelly introduces us to the concept of the “Moment of Truth” where we need to ask ourselves what makes us unique. What gifts, qualities, talents, abilities, has God given uniquely to us which enables us discover and fulfil God’s dream for us. Kelly tells us our goal is not to be “better” (self-improvement), but “best” (in God’s image). The distinction allows us not to be people guided by a consumerism of self, but by a mentality of service to others. That in order for us to be who God desires us to be, we discover our gifts not by navel gazing, but by serving!

The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is the optimal Defining Moment. Tradition has suggested the Magi were: Melchior, King of Persia; Caspar, King of India; and Balthasar, King of Arabia. They were astronomers who closely tracked the movement of heavenly bodies and claimed to read them as omens of earthly events. Unlike the Jewish people, they did not look to God and His law to direct their steps. The Magi would have never sought out the Jewish Messiah on their own — but God presented them with a defining moment.

The Three Wise men teach us three essential qualities which we must ask ourselves if we have in order be open to the Defining Moments of our life:

The Willingness to Look Up at the Stars

 The Openness to Step Out of our Routine and Comfort Zone

 The Desire to Do Good and Go and Tell

This service is not done in isolation, but in contemplation. We try and discover “our thing” by looking at our patterns of defeat (our woes) and embrace instead progress (our wins). Asking nightly God where did I see you? Lord, where did I miss you? (Awareness Examen)

First Lesson – Celebrate Your Progress

Look at the Five Points Outlined in Chapter 1. Scribe for yourself a Road Map by asking:

Each Morning:

What do I need to focus on today?

What specific action will I take to achieve progress in this area?

How will I measure my progress in this area?

What can I do to make a difference in the lives of others today?

Each Evening:

Am I better today? (i.e. more a reflection of God’s image)

What did I do today that brought me happiness?

What did I do today which made me restless or unhappy?

Why did I choose those things? Did I hurt anyone? How can I improve tomorrow?

What good things do I feel the Holy Spirit inspiriting me to do tomorrow?

See you Sunday!

Resolutions for 2018

I have never really been a big believer in New Year Resolutions, guess because its tough to act upon them. But a friend of mine, Father Michael White, has encouraged me to take a new look at them for 2018, and he even puts his on his blog so that he has higher accountability, so this year, spurred on by his example, and with a few that I’ve freely adapted from him, I am blogging my resolutions. Feel free to hold me to them (but be gentle.....)

1. Pray a lot more

This past year has been an extremely hectic one, various opportunities in our parish life, some team changes, new chapters to begin and numerous occasions to network with parishes across Canada and in the United States as we grow in being a parish dedicated to the New Evangelization, as well as our parish growing by leaps and bounds, have kept me busy, and my prayer life has struggled a bit - got to get that back on track! The first six months I was good, but the last couple have been not so good. So I am returning to first hour of the day going to Him and last hour of the day being His. It was my practice for the first 20 years of my priesthood......this year it shall return!

2. Write a Book (another) and attend some Conferences

I have been blessed with the chance to write two books and have been invited to write a third. Its a goal for this year, but still looking at a blank page. I also use to write in this blog more often. Well have added time in my calendar for both now. I also have been invited to attend or speak at several conferences this year - going to make these a priority and will be working hard to make that happen.

3. Walk More.

I use to go to the gym 3-4 times a week. Have to say have been finding that I don't have the discipline and dedication to make it happen, but in recent months, it has become ever the more apparent that I need to push myself to walk and even just stand more for purposes of health and posture. Gong to see that this is occurring.

4. Invest in....

My Staff and Parish Leadership Team.We have a great staff, and a very strong lay leadership council, and they do an incredible job. But they could probably use more investment of my time. I have some things I am planning as we set some new goals for our ongoing effort to build a great leadership culture.

My Self. I have been reading a great deal on Leadership, and have been conversing with such great leaders as Father Michael White, Father James Mallon, Carey Nieuwhof, Patrick Lencioni, Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley. I want this year to go spend some time with them and invest in growing as a leader - it will also make me a better Pastor.

5. Begin Next Round of Strategic Planning.

Our parish is at a great crossroads of some amazing things about to happen. Our investment in our mission and vision over the last few years is, because of God's Grace and His people's faithfulness, about to take off. It is time to look ahead. What does our campus, staff, schedule, strategy look like in 5 years? What challenges will we be facing ahead? What opportunities can we identify?

May God bless in 2018.

PS - by the way check out my 2017 New Year Blog .... always interesting looking back.....