“Sir I wish to see Jesus”.

This is the final week of our Lenten Message Series. We have travelled far. From the desert where we began looking at the whole question of temptation: “the invitation to embrace self-interest.” One temptation we decided we need to get over was “ourselves” - our need to focus only on ourselves - for when our life perspective is about our self - we not only limit our selves but we can lose ourselves in the process - missing out on opportunities to grow.

Then we moved to the mountain of transfiguration where we sought to get a better view - a God perspective to the things of life- up the Mountain of Transfiguration along with Peter, James and John and see God’s plan, His view, His Game Plan for you this Lent. Our second week was about focussing on perspective – how did we do?

Then we moved to the temple where Jesus in the midst of deep disappointment at its use cleared it and in that reaction we were called to consider our own reactions - we react to so many things - but do our reactions speak of ourselves (you know the one we were called to get over) or do they speak of God and His work in our life? Our trust in Him?

Then to the Gospel last week - the best quoted of all - John 3:16 - were we were invited to look at the Cross - and examine the crosses in our lives - asking ourselves during it all - do we know His love, do we embrace and seek His love, do we share His love and do we even see the Cross and the crosses of our life as symbols of His love?

Our final Gospel for Lent takes us to a Greek Citizen who says - “Sir I wish to see Jesus”. He wants to see Jesus - but will he, can He, should he? He seems almost afraid to grow in his relationship with Jesus. At times there are things which can hold us back – almost quarantine us from growing in our relationship with Jesus… often it is Sin - and when we recognize that, it becomes a moment where we ask ‘ What Are You Waiting For?”  We explore the Sacrament of Reconciliation and prepare for our Day of Mercy on March 22, 2018

God so loved the world

Our Lenten Message Series continues .In this Sunday's Gospel, we get to hear the most famous verse in all of the Bible: John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life.” In this chapter, John recounts a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who had sympathy for Jesus and his message of salvation through repentance. Nicodemus came out to meet Jesus after reports of the miracles Jesus had performed, hoping to gain some insight into His teachings.

The history of salvation, from the fall of Adam and Eve until the final judgment, revolves around the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Son of God. Why did He come? Because the Father sent Him. Why did the Father send Him? Because He “loved the world so much.” He simply couldn’t bear to see us perish in our sins; He longed to share with us His everlasting life. God cares. And Jesus Christ is the definitive proof that He cares. He cares so much that He is willing to sacrifice His only Son to atone for the sins that have separated man from God, the source of all good things. We need look no further to find the very core of the gospel: “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” No hidden agenda, no selfish undertones – pure generosity. This is the heart of God, of the Lord who longs for our friendship. You might be saying….alright, I know and understand and accept that….however…where is the insight?

So here is the insight? The cross. You see all of this was possible due to the generosity of the Father, but also because of the choice of the Son to accept the Cross. This instrument became not a tool of torture, but a pulpit of love. When we take on the Crosses of our life, in that same spirit, and accept His love, then we too are able to embrace Him and His love in our life. Are you willing to accept the Cross? What are your waiting for?

Reactions are a part of life

We continue our Lenten Message Series.  The picture above is one I took during our Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is a view from Mount Tabor where our journey left off last week. What is your reaction to the photo and the view?

Reactions are a part of our life, we have thousand of them each day. To what we or others wear, watch on TV or even have for dinner. Most are pretty basic and allow us to make our way through an average day, but some are most significant & impact our life, values and livelihood (not to mention happiness). Our readings, as we continue this Lenten journey lead us toward a reflection upon Reactions, Decisions and Choices - how we make them, what shapes them and who influences them.

Our gospel invites us to reflect on the reaction of Jesus as He entered the temple and cleared it. It invites us to see His reaction for who He is for us. 

On the First Sunday of Lent, when Jesus was tempted in the desert, He revealed His humanity – in His hunger – and His divinity in His rejection of the temptations of the evil one. On the Second Sunday of Lent, in the transfiguration on Mount Tabor, we heard Jesus referred to as God’s “beloved Son”, and we were asked to “Listen to him”. 

Now, on this Third Sunday of our Lenten season, we are challenged by the gospel to see a different side of Jesus, but as a man inspired by God to cleanse the Temple. He prophesies His resurrection from the dead and He says that He will “destroy this temple and in three days … raise it up” speak of His rootedness in the plan of God for Him. Although the disciples did not understand Him, He was talking about His death (‘this temple” referring to His body), and His resurrection three days later. Only later, after the resurrection, did they put the pieces of the puzzle together and understand His true meaning. They too had a reaction to what He was doing. 

Sometimes God does puzzling things in our life, are we willing to try and understand His meaning “three days later?” What is your reaction?